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Regular consumption of fish can contribute to a more balanced and healthy diet. Incorporating fish into one's diet is important for maintaining a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The processes of traditional smoking undergo a complex series of steps that significantly influence its quality, nutritional composition, and sensory characteristics. To address this issue, a study was conducted to evaluate the meat quality and salt concentration of traditionally smoked Arctic char at different stages of the smoking process (fresh meat, salted meat, desalted meat, and smoked meat). All the physicochemical measured parameters varied significantly during the smoking processes, with the quality of the products remaining high. The final product, traditionally smoked trout, experiences a substantial decrease in water content through drying, salting, desalting, and smoking at high temperatures, increasing dry matter content. Furthermore, there is a significant boost in protein content in smoked trout compared to fresh, salted, and desalted meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to analyse the use and effects of carotenoids in salmonid aquafeeds. Species of the family Salmonidae are of great interest for aquaculture due to their many properties, like fast growth and nutritional quality. Some species from this family are among the most farmed fish in the world. Thus, there are many studies on different farming technologies, fish biology, market dynamics and others. However, there are always new challenges in the aquaculture of salmonids, being a continuously improving activity. Consumers are becoming more considerate about what they choose to buy and consume. Thus, some aspects emerge as great influencers in the buying decisions of consumers, such as animal welfare, in addition to usual influencing factors, like product freshness and colour. A category of ingredients used in the salmonid aquaculture are carotenoids. They are pigments supplemented to diets for colouring the fish flesh, making it more appealing to consumers. However, some other benefits can also be observed, especially on the health of fishes. Be it synthetic or natural, carotenoids have become a largely used ingredient in salmonid aquafeeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative protein sources to replace fish meal in aquaculture feeds are continuously sought after. The fish meal industry is unsustainable, from an economic point of view and because of its impact on wild aquatic ecosystems. This review presents the use of gastropod species (class Gastropoda) in aquaculture feeds. Gastropods have been studied for their potential use in aquaculture feeds, mainly as an alternative source of protein to fish meal. Gathered studies from various databases encompass gastropods nutritional value, and their performance in rearing aquatic organisms. Fish meal replacement with meals sourced from gastropods is closely analysed in this paper. Synthesized information from this review will benefit future research on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestive system of fish is different from one species to another, depending on the type of food ingested. Danube salmon Hucho hucho (Linnaeus, 1758) is a critically endangered species of the Salmonidae family with the threat of extinction looming large, therefore conservation efforts are urgently needed. This study presents a detailed microscopic analysis of the Zeissl membrane in Danube salmon, through histological means. The biological material analyzed consisted of six fish raised in a specialized breeding farm for restocking purposes. Samples were collected from the gastrointestinal tract and processed using histological paraffin embedding. The Zeissl membrane was present in all studied segments, but its structure and development varied. It comprised the stratum compactum (SC) and stratum granulosum (SG). The SC formed a continuous membrane with unequal thickness in most of the studied segments, except for the cardia area of the stomach, where it appeared discontinuously, and the duodenum, where it only appeared between the apertures of the pyloric caeca. Aside from its role in limiting gastrointestinal distension, it may have other implications for the morphophysiology of the Danube salmon digestive tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The habitat of the European mudminnow, Umbra krameri Walbaum, 1792, is continuously decreasing due to human intervention. The species has a "vulnerable" status according to the IUCN Red List. Thus, new information about the species is needed for conservation efforts. Minnow traps were used for capturing Umbra krameri and other small fishes in the Jie River, Dolj County, southwestern Romania. Captured specimens of U. krameri were measured and weighed. Length-weight relations and relative condition factor were determined for the captured U. krameri specimens. A total of 94 fishes were captured using the minnow traps. They represented 7 species: European bitterling, Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782), roach, Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758), rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Linnaeus, 1758), Danubian spined loach, Cobitis elongatoides Băcescu et Mayer, 1969, weatherfish, Misgurnus fossilis (Linnaeus, 1758), tubenose goby, Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1814), and U. krameri. The specimens of Umbra krameri represented 44% (41 specimens) of the total catch. The wet body weight (BW) of U. krameri ranged from 0.8 to 5.1 g, having a mean value of 2.102 g. The mean total length (TL) was 5.782 cm, ranging from 4.59 to 7.87 cm. According to the length-weight relation (LWR), the growth type of U. krameri was positive allometric based on the determined equation: BW = 0.0068TL3.277. The mean value determined for the relative condition factor (Kn) was 1.0056486. The growth condition of 46% of the specimens was poor (Kn < 1; n = 19), while the other 54% were in good condition (Kn = 1; n = 22). The presently reported study provides information about the presence of U. krameri in the Jie River (Dolj County, Romania), a location where the species has not been previously reported. The LWRs show an allometric positive growth. The relative condition factor shows that 46% of the specimens had poor growth, while the rest were in good condition. Minnow traps were an efficient tool for small fish capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) is a species present in the ichthyofauna of Romania, which naturally inhabits the seaside area, the mouths of the Danube, the Danube, and the Danube tributaries lower sections. The species currently expands its range across the European continent, and it is now inhabiting new aquatic environments, including the Someș River catchment, in the Transylvania region of Romania. The purpose of this study is to analyse the biometric aspects regarding the Neogobius fluviatilis populations from the Someș River catchment. Specimens of Neogobius fluviatilis were collected from 9 locations situated on the main course of the Someș River and from a lake built on a small river from the Someș catchment, the Țaga Lake. The collected specimens were preserved, and morphometric analysis was conducted in the laboratory with the following biometric aspects being analysed: length classes distribution and the length-weight relationships (LWR), such as the Fulton condition factor (K) and the allometric growth. In the present research work, we managed to obtain important information regarding the biometric aspects of the monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) population from the Someș River catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first reference regarding the length-weight relationships of freshwater fishes inhabiting one of the most important spawning waters of the endemic endangered Danube salmon (Hucho hucho). Fulton condition factor (K) was calculated for 1366 individuals belonging to 16 species from Ruscova River, north of Romania. Length-weight relationships were determined for 1362 specimens from 14 species. The smallest slope value (b) was determined for Romanogobio uranoscopus (b=2.2437) and the highest value for Telestes souffia (b=3.6058). The Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) showed positive allometric growth, having the calculated value of the slope of 3.3879. The mean values of Fulton condition factor (K) for the captured specimens were: Cottus gobio (1.161), Alburnus alburnus (0.3726), Alburnoides bipunctatus (0.8142), Barbus barbus (0.9434), Barbus carpathicus (0.9202), Chondrostoma nasus (0.8867), Romanogobio uranoscopus (0.8196), Phoxinus phoxinus (0.9888), Squalius cephalus (1.137), Telestes souffia (0.898), Barbatula barbatula (0.6693), Eudontomyzon danfordi (0.1293), Hucho hucho (0.8454) and Thymallus thymallus (0.9522). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood metabolic profiles are widely used to monitor health, reproductive and nutritional status. In the last few years, the evaluation of oxidative stress level of the organism has contributed increasingly as a complementary tool in the evaluation of metabolic status. The aim of this paper was to investigate the possible influence of age and physiological status on blood metabolic profile: Hb, PCV, TP, Creatinine, Glucose, TL, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, ALT and AST in ewes. We also measured two antioxidant enzymes, GPx and SOD to evaluated the oxidative stress level and establish the relationship between those and variation of biochemical parameters. The results showed that all the blood parameters determined in serum, were within or close to normal range value for healthy ewes and were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the age and variations of physiological status. A strong correlation (P<0.01) was observed in lactation period between antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile. Taking the results together suggests that age and physiological status have to be taken into consideration for a correct interpretation of the serum chemistry values of sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the pollution from the environment, the heavy metals also contaminate the mushrooms. The pollution degree depends on several factors such as climate, area of origin, mushroom composition, humidity level, and radioactivity. Samples were collected from the following areas: Sălaj, Cluj, Braşov, Baia Mare, Satu Mare, Bistriţa-Năsăud. The content of fat, protein, humidity, heavy metal (Pb and Cd) and fungi radionuclides (Boletus edulis) and chanterelle mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius) were evaluated. The content of Cs 137 in (Boletus edulis) built in the Baia Mare area and the lowest in the Brasov area. Cs 134 showed the lowest values in yellow sponges compared to dry boletus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Romanian Buffalo Breed (RBB), established in 1987, originated from local river buffalo populations highly adapted to the low-input breeding condition. Cross-breeding with Asian breeds was recently used for genetic improvement in milk production. In the last 25 years the species has dramatically decreased. Over 90% of livestock has been sold and never replaced. The population is now mainly maintained in subsistence farms. This study aims to assess the genetic diversity within the remaining population and to verify links with improved breeds supposedly introgressed in RBB. To assess the genetic diversity of RBB and ascertain possible phylogenetic relations with other buffalo breeds, we sequenced the entire cytochrome B gene (MTCYB) in a sample population. Blood samples were collected from randomly selected 52 unrelated individuals from various locations in Transylvania. A DNA fragment containing the entire MTCYB gene (1140bp) was amplified by PCR directly from whole blood (1μl). The amplicons were sequenced using two pairs of primers. The sequences were subsequently used for genetic diversity assessments. Analysis of the sequences led to the identification of five novel MTCYB haplotypes, uploaded in GenBank with the following accession numbers: JQ241279; JQ241280; JQ241281; JQ241282; JQ241283. In the sample population, the most frequently identified haplotypes were haplotype 2 (EF409940.1) and haplotype 3 (EF409941.1), previously reported in other buffalo populations, mainly from Asia, confirming the Asiatic origins of RBB. Sequence comparisons have revealed that RBB is mainly related with Indian breeds. Despite the numerical decline of RBB, through correct breeding schemes the breed maintained a good level of genetic diversity. Our analysis confirms RBB’s Asiatic origins. Presence of new haplotypes may also reflect that this population is isolated from a geographical and reproductive point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep milk has a high nutritional value and is an important source of fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, etc., which contribute to the body's health. In addition to the use of raw milk, the main use of sheep's milk is the production of traditional cheeses obtained by small farmers or regional cheese producers. However, the quality of the obtained cheeses depends on the raw material, namely milk, which has to be free of pathogenic microorganisms. This study aims to highlight the importance of the quality of raw milk to obtain high-quality cheeses. Milk and telemea cheese samples were collected from Țurcană sheep breed farmed in Vințe farm, Cluj county, Romania. The physicochemical analyses were performed for both milk and cheese. The physicochemical analysis results for milk were: crude fat 8.98±0.18%, crude protein 5.08±0.16%, density 1.0345±0.01 g cm-3, acidity 17.2±0.97%. For the cheese, the results were: water 45.2±0.74%, dry matter (DM) 54.8±0.74%, crude fat 51.93±2.05% reported to DM, salt 5.63±0.31% and acidity 272.6±11.82%. The pleasant taste of cheese is due to the quality of the raw milk and the brine used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades buffalo milk has attracted growing interest in most countries, especially due to its nutrition characteristics. In Romania, buffalo milk and milk products are mainly considered local and traditional resources, and play an important role in enhancing livestock biodiversity. Currently, the overall availability of milk from all dairy animal species, as well as the possibility of obtaining new products must be analysed. Buffalo milk composition is influenced by season. Milk fat level in autumn is 7.95%, and in the summer it is 7.29%. The highest mean values for the cheese were recorded in the spring season, with a fat and protein content of 41.02% and 21.34%, respectively. In autumn, the fat content is at 36.92%, and protein is at 19.81% . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish meat is an important source of nutrients, having organoleptic and dietary properties, especially important for human nutrition, in the form of essential and non-essential amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids such as Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9 and Omega 12. They are essential for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease or various forms of cancer, like colorectal cancer. In the present study, characteristics and chemical properties of the meat were analyzed in eight different fish species: rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), golden grey mullet (Liza aurata), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), sea bream (Sparus aurata) and prussian carp (Carassius gibelio). The characteristics and chemical properties of the meat were analyzed, taking into account the anatomical muscle segments (epaxial muscles, hypaxial muscles and caudal peduncle muscles). The analyses of the chemical composition of the meat consisted of: water content (%), dry matter (%), crude protein (Pb%), crude fat (Gb%) and mineral content (Min.%). The proximate analysis results are influenced by many factors, such as the sex of fish, the age of fish, the catch season, the farming system used, the geographical region of catch, the time from harvest to analysis, the conservation method, and many others. The results offer important information regarding the structure and composition of fish meat available on the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics are live organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. They are found in breast milk, dairy products, fermented vegetables, peas, etc. The obtained results of using probiotics to treat some disorders, especially of the gastrointestinal abundance of commercial probiotic found on the market is the proof that there are other, noninvasive, ways to treat diseases. The mechanism behind their effect is the following: by using probiotics, the number of selected bacteria will grow exponentially so the pathogens will not be able to colonize the GI trac gastrointestinal health, but also some promising results on anti-hypertensive activity; skin, oral and urogenital health; immune and liver function and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]