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Ontogenetic changes in digestive enzyme activities and the amino acid profile of starry flounder Platichthys stellatus

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Abstract

Ontogenetic changes in digestive enzyme activities and the amino acid (AA) profile of starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus, were investigated and limiting amino acids were estimated compared with the essential AA profile between larvae and live food to clarify starry flounder larval nutritional requirements. Larvae were collected at the egg stage and 0, 2, 4, 7, 12, 17, 24 days after hatching (DAH) for analysis. Larvae grew from 1.91 mm at hatching to 12.13 mm at 24 DAH. Trypsin and chymotrypsin activities changed slightly by 4 DAH and then increased significantly 4 DAH. Pepsin activity increased sharply beginning 17 DAH. Lipase activity increased significantly 4 DAH and increased progressively with larval growth. Amylase activity was also detected in newly hatched larvae and increased 7 DAH followed by a gradual decrease. High free amino acid (FAA) content was detected in starry flounder eggs (110.72 mg/g dry weight). Total FAA content dropped to 43.29 mg/g in 4-DAH larvae and then decreased gradually to 13.74 mg/g in 24-DAH larvae. Most FAAs (except lysine and methionine) decreased >50% in 4-DAH larvae compared with those in eggs and then decreased to the lowest values in 24-DAH larvae. Changes in the protein amino acid (PAA) profile were much milder than those observed for FAAs. Most PAAs increased gradually during larval development, except lysine and phenylalanine. The percentages of free threonine, valine, isoleucine, and leucine decreased until the end of the trial, whereas the protein forms of these four AAs followed the opposite trend. A comparison of the essential AA composition of live food (rotifers, Artemia nauplii, and Artemia metanauplii) and larvae suggested that methionine was potentially the first limiting AA. These results may help develop starry flounder larviculture methods by solving the AA imbalance in live food. Moreover, the increased digestive enzyme activities indicate the possibility of introducing artificial compound feed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shandong Marine Resource and Environment Research Institute, Yantai, 264006, China

    Zhidong Song  (宋志东), Jiying Wang  (王际英), Hongjin Qiao  (乔洪金), Peiyu Li  (李培玉), Limin Zhang  (张利民) & Bin Xia  (夏斌)

  2. Shandong Shengsuo Aquatic Feed Research Center, Yantai, 265601, China

    Peiyu Li  (李培玉)

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  1. Zhidong Song  (宋志东)
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  2. Jiying Wang  (王际英)
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  3. Hongjin Qiao  (乔洪金)
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  4. Peiyu Li  (李培玉)
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  5. Limin Zhang  (张利民)
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  6. Bin Xia  (夏斌)
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Correspondence to Jiying Wang  (王际英) or Limin Zhang  (张利民).

Additional information

Supported by the Scientific and Technological Development Plan Project of Yantai City (No. 2013ZH348), the Aquatic Animal Nutrition and Feed Research and Innovation Demonstration Platform (No. 201301001), and the National Special Research Fund for Non-Profit Marine Sector (No. 1205025)

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Song, Z., Wang, J., Qiao, H. et al. Ontogenetic changes in digestive enzyme activities and the amino acid profile of starry flounder Platichthys stellatus . Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 34, 1013–1024 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-016-5031-3

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