Search

The potential effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) were evaluated in coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus). Five APS levels (0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, and 0.20%) were added to the diet of coral trout, and a 56-day growth trial (initial weight 18.62 ± 0.05 g) was conducted. Dietary APS enhanced growth performance, with the highest improvement observed in fish fed the 0.15% APS diet. This concentration also enhanced the antioxidant capacity and immunomodulation of the fish by regulating the expression of genes associated with antioxidant enzymes and immune responses. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that APS supplementation significantly increased the Chao1 index and relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (Firmicutes and Bacillus). A high level of APS (0.20%) did not provide additional benefits for growth and health compared to a moderate level (0.15%). These findings indicate that an optimal APS dose promotes growth, enhances antioxidant activity, supports immune function, and improves intestinal microbiota in coral trout. Based on a cubic regression analysis of the specific growth rate, the optimal APS level for the maximal growth of coral trout was determined to be 0.1455%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although β-glucan has diverse benefits for fish health, the potential adverse impacts of excessive supplementation are poorly understood. This study investigated the optimal dosage of β-glucan for coral trout and explored the adverse effects of excessive supplementation. The results revealed that moderate β-glucan supplementation (1) significantly enhanced the weight gain rate and specific growth rate (SGR); (2) significantly improved the intestinal villus length (0.10%), muscle thickness (0.05–0.15%), and α-amylase and chymotrypsin activities (0.05–0.15%); (3) significantly increased liver catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), alkaline phosphatase, complement 3, immunoglobulin M (IgM), lysozyme, serum superoxide dismutase, CAT, glutathione peroxidase, GR, total antioxidant capacity, acid phosphatase, complement 4, and IgM activities and significantly reduced malondialdehyde contents; (4) upregulated genes in the liver associated with copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD-2), CAT, GSH-Px1a, ACP6, AKP, LZ-c, IgM, C3, and C4-b. However, 0.20% β-glucan significantly inhibited the growth performance of coral trout compared with 0.10% β-glucan. Thus, 0.10% β-glucan represents the optimal dosage for promoting growth, antioxidant activity, and immune responses in coral trout, while higher β-glucan levels weakened these beneficial effects. With an SGR established by a cubic regression analysis, the optimal level of β-glucan for maximal growth of coral trout is 0.082%. This study provides new insights into the health impacts of β-glucan on fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable sodium-ion batteries have become more attractive because of its advantages such as abundant sodium resources and lower costs compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. In keeping with the future development of high-capacity secondary batteries, solid-state batteries, which use solid electrolytes instead of liquid organic electrolytes, are expected to overcome the challenges of traditional lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density, cycle life and safety. Among various electrolytes, polymer matrices have great potential and application in flexible solid-state sodium batteries, as they can form large molecular structures with sodium salts, exhibit low flammability and excellent flexibility. But there are still challenges including low ionic conductivity, poor wettability, electrode/electrolyte interface stability and compatibility, which can limit battery performance and hinder practical applications. The preparation, benefits, and drawbacks of polymer-based solid-state sodium batteries (SSBs) are examined in this article based on an overview of solid electrolytes from the perspectives of polymer-based sodium battery materials, solid polymer electrolytes, and composition polymer electrolytes. Finally, it provides insights into the challenges and potential developments for polymer-based solid-state sodium batteries in the future.

A sustainable and cost-effective energy storage system is the research focus at present and also the development direction of the future. A green and cost-effective cathode material for high-voltage dual-ion batteries (DIBs) is presented in this work through the artificial implantation of unsaturated organic sulfonates on the surface of natural graphite (NG) particles via a low-cost and green synthesis route. It is interesting to discover and validate that π–π stacking interactions exist between the π-bonds of unsaturated sulfonates and graphite layers through both practical experiments and density functional theory simulations. The C≡C bond-containing propyne sulfonate (PyS) exhibits stronger π–π stacking interactions on graphite layers than the C＝C bond-containing allyl sulfonate and C–C bond-containing propane sulfonate. The PyS layer works as an artificial and highly stable cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI), which effectively precludes electrolyte decomposition, reduces interfacial resistance and protects the NG cathode from structural degradation. The as-prepared NG@PyS exhibits outstanding cycling performance as the cathode material of DIBs by virtue of the high adhesion capability of PyS on graphite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]