Determination of Digestive Enzyme Activity in Gilt-Head sea bream (Sparus aurata ) Feeding with Commercial Feed

Abstract

With the increase in the world population, aquaculture has a very important place in meeting the protein needs of humanity. Today, fish farming is developing rapidly depending on the increase in demand. Fish is one of the most important foodstuffs for human nutrition. Studies on the quality and characteristics of the feeds used gain importance with the increase in the knowledge about the nutrient sources of fish. It is known that there is a linear correlation between growth, productivity and feed efficiency in fish like another animal. At this point, the correct and effective use of feed, which is the most important input in production, is very important in terms of increasing the yield and product quality to be obtained from the product and reducing production costs. The identification of digestive enzyme activities is important in developing new feeding regimens and in ensuring optimal growing conditions. As most enzymes regulate the events of viability, the increase or decrease in their activity causes the degradation of the normal functions of fish and diseases in fishes. In this study, body weight and changes in digestive enzyme activity were investigated in sea bream feeding with commercial feed. For this purpose, a total of 3000 juveniles with an initial mean weight (IW) of 2.72±0.78 g were divided into 4 tanks (2000 L). After the six weeks final weight was 7.75 ± 0.67 at the end of experiment. While trypsin activity was increased until the end of the experiment, amylase activity was decreased. On the other hand, small decreases in lipase activity were observed throughout the experiment.