Plasma amino acid changes in Tilapia nilotica fed a casein and a corresponding free amino acid diet.

Abstract

Satarved Tilapia nilotica were fed a casein diet and an amino acid diet of similar composition. The change in concentrations of plasma-free amino acids of Tilapia at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after adminstering the two diets was examined, With respect to the casein diet, all plasma-free essential amino acids attained their maximal values at 4 hours after feeding, and then declied to the fasting levels within 24 hours. with the amino acid diet, all plasma-free essential amino acids peaked at 2 hours, and returned to their fasting levels within 4 to 8 hours. Free non-essential amino acids showed unique patterns of change in the plasma of Tilapia after both the casein diet and the free amino acid diet were administered.