Comparative study on body index, nutrient composition, and digestive enzyme activity of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, Paramisgurnus dabryanus, and Paramisgurnus dabryanus ssp

Abstract

The current research work was undertaken to compare and analyze the body index, nutrient composition, and digestive enzyme activity of Pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), large-scale loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus), and Taiwan loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus ssp). Viscerosomatic ratio (VR), condition factor, (CF), W/L and H/L were highest in Taiwan loach (P < 0.05). Muscle protein content was highest, whereas lipid content was lowest in pond loach (P < 0.05). The content of total amino acids (TAA), total essential amino acids (EAA), and delicious amino acids (DAA) in the muscle of pond loach was highest (P < 0.05). The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and linoleic acid was highest in pond loach, Taiwan loach and large-scale loach, respectively (P < 0.05). The trypsin activities and amylase activities of the pond loach were significantly higher than those of the large-scale loach and Taiwan loach in the intestine and liver (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the three kinds of loaches are of high nutritional value and have breeding prospects, among which pond loach has higher nutritional value.