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Research article2013Peer reviewed

Digestive Enzyme Activity in Eurasian Perch (Perca Fluviatilis) and Arctic Charr (Salvelinus Alpinus)

Langeland, Markus; Lindberg, Jan Erik; Lundh, Torbjörn

Abstract

The activity of the digestive enzymes lipase, α-amylase and disaccharidases (sucrase, maltase, isomaltase and trehalase) was studied in slow-growing and fast-growing groups of farmed Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) of different ages. The activity of carbohydrases (disaccharidases and α-amylase), lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin were also compared in Eurasian perch and Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). No effect was noted of growth rate and age on the digestive enzyme activities in Eurasian perch. Total lipase activity was higher than total combined carbohydrase activity in both species (142.0 vs. 6.2 and 111.0 vs. 2.5 U mg-1 protein for Eurasian perch and Arctic charr respectively; P<0.001 for both). Compared with Arctic charr, Eurasian perch had higher lipase activity in the pancreas and lower lipase activity in the pyloric caeca and mid-intestine. Total chymotrypsin activity was higher than total trypsin activity in both species, whereas total chymotrypsin activity was higher for Arctic charr than for Eurasian perch (192.8 and 110.2 U mg-1 sample respectively; P<0.001). The high lipase and protease activity, and low carbohydrase activity in both species can be linked to their carnivorous feeding habits. Moreover, Eurasian Perch had a higher total carbohydrase activity than Arctic charr, suggesting a greater capacity for digesting carbohydrates, especially starch.

Published in

Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development
2013, Volume: 5, number: 1