Objective Assessment of Superiority of Enteral Feeding by Traditional Home Kitchen-Based Feed V/S Commercial Formula Feed in Patients of Esophagogastric Corrosive Injury

Background: Corrosive ingestion can cause severe chemical injury to upper gastrointestinal tract which leads to dysphagia, malnutrition and weight loss. Early nutritional assessment and support through feeding jejunostomy is important and it should be nutritionally optimum and economically balanced. The aim is to compare cost and nutritional status after nutritional support with traditional home kitchen made and commercial formula feed through feeding jejunostomy.Methods:A prospective study included patients on enteral nutrition based on traditional home kitchen feed (cohort-1) and on commercial formula feed (cohort-2). Patient’s body weight, BMI, haemoglobin, serum albumin, nutritional risk index, controlling nutritional status score were checked at the admission, 3rd and 6th month follow up.Results: In cohort 1 mean albumin and haemoglobin raised by 33.13% & 14.60% at 3rd month and 47.23% & 22.3% at 6th month respectively; In cohort 2 it was 9.12% & 2.69% at 3rd month and 17.62% & 6.53% at 6th month respectively. At 6th month in cohort 1 and 2 mean weight gain was 7.56% & 4.0%; mean increase in NRI was 34.78% & 11.5% respectively. Mean CONUT score at six months was better improved in cohort 1 which is 6 to 1 as compared to cohort 2 which was 6 to 3. Mean monthly cost of home-based feeds was significantly lower as compared to commercial feeds (62.14 Rs v/s 682-2354 Rs/day).Conclusions:In corrosive GI tract injury patient enteral nutrition with traditional home kitchen-based feeds is safe, cost effective and associated with better improvement in nutritional status objective parameters.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Analysis among Rural Mothers of 6 to 24 Month Age Child Regarding Complementary Feeding

Introduction: According to WHO, exclusive breastfeeding is essential for first 6 moth of life, afterward by six months to meet raised energy and nutrient needs of growing infant complementary feeding is necessary [1]. Proper complementary feeding very essential for the proper physical, neurocognitive development of the child. Objectives: To assesses the knowledge, attitude, and practice among rural Indian mothers of age 6 to 24 month child regarding complementary feeding. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching rural hospital in India between December 2020 and June 2021. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to mothers of 6 to 24 month age children attending pediatrics outpatient department at hospital. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts; first part consist of demographic variables, second and third part regarding knowledge, attitude and practice of mother towards complementary feeding practice. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. Results: Out of the 250 participants, 220(88%) completed questionnaire completely and validly, 96% mothers initiated breastfeeding within first 48 hrs of birth, and about 62% mothers continue exclusive breastfeeding till six moth age. 72 % mother knew that complementary feeding should start at 6 month of age but only 66% mother able to start at that age, major reason for delayed start is mother perception that her feeding is sufficient for baby, other that family member’s advice. 64% mother believe in homemade complementary feeds and 26% mothers believe in commercial feeds, though major source of knowledge is family members (69%), electronic media(12%) also important source of knowledge while only 19% mothers get information from health professionals. Significant number of mother have knowledge about iron rich foods(63%), iodized salt (50%) etc. however only 36% mother knows about dietary diversity. During illness 52% mothers prefer to decrease in feeding while, 10% prefer to withhold it. 91% mother practice washing hands before cooking and 85% practice giving boil water to baby. However, still 70% mother practice bottle feeding for their children’s. Conclusion: Though there is good knowledge among mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding in term of age of start, type of feeding, nutrient value of feeding, importance of consistency, however still there is lack of knowledge about dietary diversity, cultural and social food taboos, bottle feeding etc. Strategies need to employ like health education, awareness programs, training programs for mothers to improve their practice and attitude towards complementary feeding.

A preliminary study of the effects of cold, frozen, or room temperature storage of commercial feeds on growth performance and feed consumption of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The storage of commercial feeds in a cool and dry place is a prerequisite management strategy to minimize the deterioration of commercial feeds. This study investigated the effects of feed storage conditions on feed intake and growth performances of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A total of 240 juvenile rainbow trout, weighing 8.7–10.5 g, were randomly distributed into four groups. Each group was further subdivided into three replicates with 20 fish in each. The experimental fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily over a 35-days period using four commercial feeds previously kept at different storage conditions, i.e., room temperature storage (20.8°C), cold storage (10°C), or frozen storages (-1.1°C and -15°C). The feed utilization was assessed by relative feed intake (RFI%) and feed conversion rate (FCR), while growth performance was evaluated by the thermal-unit growth coefficient (TGC) and specific growth rate (SGR). The preliminary findings suggest that the food storage conditions did not significantly affect feed intake and growth performance in juvenile rainbow trout. The findings provide practical information for fish farmers in the management of feed storage, which covers a remarkable proportion of the total production costs in aquaculture facilities.

The utilization of new products formulated from water coconut, palm sap sugar, and fungus to increase nutritional feed quality, feed efficiency, growth, and carcass of gurami sago (Osphronemus goramy Lacepède, 1801) juvenile

Background: Giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy Lacepede, 1801) has become popular aquaculture in Indonesia. However, information on the feed used is minimal. This study analyzed the change in feeding nutrition, fish growth, feed efficiency, and body-carcass using product formulated from water coconut, palm sap sugar, and fungus. Methods: A total of 2,000 ml coconut water and 1,000 ml of palm sap sugar solution were formulated. Each product formulated was added with 6 g of Aspergillus niger (called product P1), 6 g of Rhizopus oligosporus (called product P2), and 6 g of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (called product P3). Commercial feeds supplemented with P1, P2, and P3 products are designated P1, P2, and P3 diets. Commercial feed added to freshwater is called the P4 diet (placebo). Their dosage is 300 ml/kg of feed. Gurami sago juveniles (initial weight 50±2.5 g and length 13.2±0.4 cm) were stocked in triplicate nets (2×1×1 m) in a freshwater concrete pond with a stocking density of 30 fish/net, an initial feeding rate of 3% per day until study termination. Results: Our results support our hypothesis that different product formulations have a significant effect (p<0.05) on growth performance and feed efficiency. At the same time, supplementing commercial feed with varying formula products has a significant impact (p<0.05) on the fatty acid composition of the diets and carcass body of gurami sago. Conclusion: Diet P2 contains a higher concentration of fatty acids to increase body weight, feed efficiency, and the best carcass fatty acid composition than other experiments for sago gurami reared in freshwater concrete ponds.

Simplified Hatchery Protocols for Culture of Orange-Spotted Spinefoot Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787) in Palawan, Philippines

Three hatchery experiments for orange-spotted spinefoot, Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787), were carried out in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines using larvae and fingerlings produced through induced spawning. The first experiment (E1) involving larvae raised in six 5,000-L concrete tanks until 39 days post-hatch (dph) comparing two stocking densities (T1: 3; and T2: 5 larva.L-1), obtained survival rates (SR) of 6.00 and 7.85 %. The second experiment (E2) monitored the growth and survival of 47 dph juveniles for 3 weeks, raised in 25-L plastic basins, fed with a commercial diet at three stocking densities with five replications. The initial stocking densities (6, 12, 18 ind.L-1) were reduced during the second (4, 8, 12 ind.L-1) and third (2, 4, 6 ind.L-1) week, respectively. The weekly SR for all treatments ranged between 99.2 and 100 %. Weekly final total lengths (TL) were not significantly different except during the second week. The third experiment (E3) evaluated the effects of two types of commercial feeds (T1: grouper feed; T2: milkfish feed) on the growth and survival of 47 dph juveniles in plastic basins for 3 weeks, at similar densities reduced on a weekly basis. The SR (96.2 to 99.9 %) were not significantly different, but the TL of fish in T1 (4.39 cm) were significantly bigger than in T2 (3.52 cm). While there is a need to improve the low and irregular survival of S. guttatus larvae for cost-effective large-scale production, we recommend using small basins in the intensive rearing of juveniles.

Effect of Dietary Protein on Growth, Survival and Cannibalism of Larval Striped Snakehead, Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)

The available commercial feeds in Bangladesh for fish larvae, including striped snakehead, (Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)), lack crude protein content. Therefore, for the proper biological well-being of striped snakehead larvae, formulating a protein-rich diet is necessary. The present experiment aimed to study the effect of three formulated isocaloric diets with varying levels of protein content on growth, survival, cannibalism, and mortality in striped snakehead (29 ± 3 mg of mean weight) weaning by rearing for 4 weeks. Three experimental groups depending on the dietary crude protein (CP 35 %, CP 40 %, and CP 45 %) were done in triplicate. Growth parameters (weight and length gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio) indicated better growth and feed utilisation in larvae fed CP 45 %, followed by 40 % and 35 % (P < 0.05). However, survival was not significantly different comparing the experimental groups. The cannibalism was maximum in CP 45 %, compared to 35 % and 40 %, most probably due to higher size heterogeneity, also confirmed by the co-efficient of variation in fish size. The observed mortality (not cannibalism) was higher in the group with lower protein (CP 35%) attributable to comparatively low feed intake and utilisation. Overall, the higher dietary protein levels demonstrated comparatively higher growth, possibly indicating the importance of increased protein content in snakehead larval feed.

Effects of functional feeds on hematological and biochemical indicators of juvenile sea trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta L.)

The effects functional additives had on blood hematological and biochemical indicators of sea trout (body weight 74.6 g, standard length 17.2 cm) were studied. The fish were divided into four experimental groups. Two groups were fed experimental feeds (group TU basic feed; group TUB basic feed with Bioimmuno), and two groups were fed commercial feeds (group TB commercial feed; group TBF commercial feed with FOCUS Plus®). After 14 and 28 days of rearing (the end of the experiment) specimens were measured and blood was drawn from seven fish from each group for hematological and biochemical tests. No effects were confirmed on rearing parameters. After 14 days of rearing, decreased values of WBC, RBC, HGB, and HCT were noted in groups TU and TB, while after 28 days lower values of RBC and HCT persisted in these groups. Lower values of these parameters were also noted in group TUB. Increased ALP activity was noted in group TUB after 14 days, while in groups TU and TUB increased levels of TP and ALB were noted after 28 days. A significant increase in ALB was also noted in group TBF. The functional feeds positively affected the physiological state of the sea trout. The results indicated that it is necessary to conduct studies to determine the optimal dose of Bioimmuno for juvenile sea trout and the period during which functional feeds should be given.

Antarctic Thraustochytrids as Sources of Carotenoids and High-Value Fatty Acids

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and carotenoids are needed as human dietary supplements and are essential components in commercial feeds for the production of aquacultured seafood. Microorganisms such as thraustochytrids are potential natural sources of these compounds. This research reports on the lipid and carotenoid production capacity of thraustochytrids that were isolated from coastal waters of Antarctica. Of the 22 isolates, 21 produced lipids containing EPA+DHA, and the amount of these fatty acids exceeded 20% of the total fatty acids in 12 isolates. Ten isolates were shown to produce carotenoids (27.4–63.9 μg/g dry biomass). The isolate RT2316-16, identified as Thraustochytrium sp., was the best producer of biomass (7.2 g/L in five days) rich in carotenoids (63.9 μg/g) and, therefore, became the focus of this investigation. The main carotenoids in RT2316-16 were β-carotene and canthaxanthin. The content of EPA+DHA in the total lipids (34 ± 3% w/w in dry biomass) depended on the stage of growth of RT2316-16. Lipid and carotenoid content of the biomass and its concentration could be enhanced by modifying the composition of the culture medium. The estimated genome size of RT2316-16 was 44 Mb. Of the 5656 genes predicted from the genome, 4559 were annotated. These included genes of most of the enzymes in the elongation and desaturation pathway of synthesis of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Carotenoid precursors in RT2316-16 were synthesized through the mevalonate pathway. A β-carotene synthase gene, with a different domain organization compared to the gene in other thraustochytrids, explained the carotenoid profile of RT2316-16.

Use of Livestock and Plant Agro-Waste in the Production of Organic Feed and Its Effect on the Physiology of Albino Wistar Rats

The need to consider agricultural wastes as resources for organic feed formulation has been of interest to researchers. This study was aimed at investigating the use of some livestock and plant agro-wastes in the production of organic feed and its effect on the physiology of albino Wistar rats. A total of 30 weaning rats were separated into six (6) different groups with 5 rats per group. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were fed with known commercial feed -Vital, Top and Hybrid feeds respectively, Group 4 was fed with corn only, while Groups 5 and 6 were fed with indigenous formulated feed FF1 and FF2 respectively - derived from some local livestock and agro-waste. Phytochemical constituents and proximate composition of the various feeds were carried out. The animals were fed for 7 weeks during which anthropometric measurement and data were collected. Blood samples were collected via venipuncture after seven weeks for biochemical and haematology analysis. The result of the proximate analysis of the formulated feeds showed protein values of 30.00±3.00 (FF1) and 22.00±1.00 (FF2) as against 18%, 21% and 22% for Vital, Top and Hybrid feeds respectively. The haematology indices showed that the various feeds improved erythropoietic functions. Similarly, the Biochemical functions of the commercial feeds and Formulated diets can support growth and maintain homeostasis. Conclusively, this study has demonstrated an added advantage in the use of agro-wastes and their biotransformation into a cost-effective replacement for commercial feeds. Keywords: Commercial feeds, Formulated feeds, Wistar rats, Corn