dc.description.abstract |
The present study evaluated the effect of tank colour on digestive enzymes (total proteases
and carbohydrases). 57 individuals of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) (about 200g, 24cm
total length) and 52 individuals of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (230-300g, 28-
31cm total length) from the laboratory of Hydrobiology of the Agricultural University of Athens
were acclimated for more than 6 months in white, blue and black polyester tanks as well as
glass tanks. The digestive systems were dissected, separated into stomach, pyloric caeca and
intestine and analyzed for proteases (total protease assay with casein as substrate, assay at 20+
deg C, at pH levels 1.5, 7.0 and 10.0 for different enzyme groups) and carbohydrases (soluble
starch as substrate, pH level 7.6, incubation for 90 min at 20+ deg C). The results were
expressed as activity per g tissue per min, activity per mg protein and capacity (activity x tissue
weight).
The digestive enzyme profile of the examined species confirmed the carnivorous feeding
type for both species, especially for sea bass. The ability of sea bream for digestion of
carbohydrates was obvious (total values for pyloric caeca and intestine: 5,664±0,5513 for white
tanks, 5,514±0,4457 for black tanks, 5,331±0,6204 for blue tanks and 6,038±0,5865 for glass
tanks in mg glucose/g tissue/min). An effect of tank colour was reported on body colour (darker
body colour of fishes kept in black tanks) and fish behaviour. Results for sea bass demonstrated
significant effect of tank colour (P<0.05) for carbohydrases (intestine: 2,620±0,3173 for white
tanks, 2,811±0,3114 for black tanks, 2,133±0,2580 for blue tanks and 3,575±0,4149 for glass
tanks in mg glucose/min, pyloric caeca: 3,257±0,4042 for white tanks, 2,604±0,3140 for black
tanks, 1,855±0,2648 for blue tanks and 3,609±0,1994 for glass tanks in mg glucose/g tissue/min
and total values: 4,816±0,5439 for white tanks, 3,478±0,4074 for black tanks, 2,834±0,3923 for
blue tanks and 5,189±0,2091 for glass tanks in mg glucose/g tissue/min) and proteases of
pyloric caeca (at pH 7.0: 0,147±0,0130 for white tanks, 0,171±0,0216 for black tanks,
0,127±0,0093 for blue tanks and 0,205±0,0397 for glass tanks in mg tyrosine/g tissue/min, at
pH 10.0: 0,035±0,0024 for white tanks, 0,039±0,0055 for black tanks, 0,040±0,0025 for blue
tanks and 0,064±0,0107 for glass tanks in mg tyrosine/mg protein/min and total values:
0,328±0,0219 for white tanks, 0,321±0,0340 for black tanks, 0,275±0,0158 for blue tanks and
0,483±0,0718 for glass tanks in mg tyrosine/g tissue/min. Generally, levels of digestive
enzymes for sea bass were elevated for white and glass tanks and lower for blue and black
tanks.
For sea bream, effect was significant for carbohydrases in pyloric caeca: 2,388±0,3037 for
white tanks, 1,985±0,2436 for black tanks, 1,300±0,1306 for blue tanks and 1,694±0,1382 for glass tanks in mg glucose/min, stomach proteases: 0,225±0,0147 for white tanks, 0,219±0,0194
for black tanks, 0,289±0,0150 for blue tanks, 0,271±0,0308 for glass tanks in mg tyrosine/g
tissue/min, intestinal proteases (pH 7.0: 0,081±0,0066 for white tanks, 0,085±0,0059 for black
tanks, 0,102±0,0086 for blue tanks and 0,055±0,0120 for glass tanks in mg tyrosine/g tissue/min
and total values (pH 7,0+10,0): 0,184±0,0187 for white tanks, 0,189±0,0147 for black tanks,
0,212±0,0190 for blue tanks and 0,126±0,0121 for glass tanks in mg tyrosine/g tissue/min and
neutral pH proteases values (pyloric caeca and intestine at pH 7.0: 0,096±0,0056 for white
tanks, 0,103±0,0060 for black tanks, 0,113±0,0081 for blue tanks and 0,068±0,0043 for glass
tanks in mg tyrosine/g tissue/min). Levels were in general elevated for white and blue tanks and
lower for fishes maintained in black tanks and glass tanks.
A possible explanation of results is that stress is thought to affect the general physiology of
fishes, through factors of endocrine system and hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, ACTH, GH, TH,
GTH). An effect on digestive system function (secretion and motility) and digestive enzymes
levels is possible. An interaction between all the factors is also reported. Many of these factors
are also reported to affect appetite, desire for food and as a result, food consumption. |
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