Oral Administration of a Hot Water Extract of the Softshell Turtle (Trionyx sinensis) Improves Exercise Performance

Protein-Rich Extract from the Bagrid Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Improves Exercise Performance and Anti-Fatigue

Background:

The freshwater bagrid catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, is used in hot chowder or tonic soup, and it has become a favorite inland aquaculturable species in Asian countries. To investigate the claims regarding its beneficial effects, we examined physical exercise performance in mice fed protein-rich P. fulvidraco extract.

Methods:

Mice were fed P. fulvidraco extract (25 mg/mL) orally once per day for 1 week at a dose of 10 µ.L/g body weight, and then forelimb grip strength, swimming endurance, body weight, and blood biochemical indicators were examined.

Results:

Bagrid catfish extract significantly enhanced grip strength to 1.25 ± 0.04 N (P < 0.01), which was 23% higher than that on day 0. The extract also increased swimming endurance to 86 ± 10 sec (P <0.05), which was 46% higher than that on day 0. After the gripping exercises, the blood glucose level was significantly increased to an average of 222% compared with the control level. Lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase levels were also significantly increased by 350% and 205%, respectively. The urea level in blood serum was 60% compared with control. In addition, triglyceride and cholesterol levels decreased to 69% and 73%, respectively, in extract-fed mice.

Conclusion:

Bagrid catfish extract improved exercise performance and fatigue recovery by providing more blood glucose and decreasing lactate and oxidative stress caused by exhaustive exercise..

Pathogenic microorganisms, heavy metals, and antibiotic residues in seven Korean freshwater aquaculture species

This survey was performed to estimate the levels of pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic residues, and heavy metals in seven Korean freshwater aquaculture species including Anguilla japonica, Cyprinus carpio nudus, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, Semisulcospira coreana, Silurus asotus, and Trionyxs sinensis. None of the ten foodborne pathogens tested in this study were found in any of the species collected from any of the aquaculture farms. Furthermore, no banned chemicals or antibiotic residues were found in any of the species collected from any of the aquaculture farms, except enrofloxacin, which was below guideline limits (0.1 mg/kg). Finally, no species had lead, cadmium, total arsenic, or total mercury concentrations above the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MSDF) guidelines (0.5, 0.5, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively). These results ensure the safety of freshwater aquaculture species and will be useful for developing consumption advisories of freshwater fishes.