The inhibitory effects of different diets on the protease activities of Argyrosomus regius (Pisces, Scianidae) larvae as a potential candidate species

Abstract

The aim of this research was to gather preliminary data about the potential inhibitory effects of commercial diets on the protease activities of meagre larvae using in vitro techniques. Four commercial diets (Gemma Micro 150 (100-200 mu m), Caviar (200-300 mu m), Caviar (300-500 mu m) and Perla Larva Proactive 4.0 (300-500 mu m)) were tested in this study. The differences in the protease activities of meagre larvae during the sampling period were statistically significant (p<.05). The highest and lowest protease activities of meagre larvae were 393.97 +/- 7.9U/mgprotein (7 DAH) and 9.64 +/- 1.25U/mgprotein (20 DAH), respectively. The digestive proteases of meagre larvae showed the greatest sensitivity to protease inhibitors present in Gemma Micro 150 (100-200 mu m). In conclusion, Caviar (200-300 mu m), Caviar (300-500 mu m) and Perla Larva Proactive 4.0 (300-500 mu m) are moderately advisable as the commercial diets in the feeding protocol of meagre larvae from 15 to 32 DAH except for more than 50% inhibitions, but not Gemma Micro 150 (100-200 mu m).