Characteristics of some digestive enzymes in sobaity, Sparidentex hasta

BACKGROUND: Determination of digestive enzymes activity would provide critical information in the design of appropriate diet. Sobaity, Sparidentex hasta is found in the Persian Gulf and cultured in countries adjacent to it. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated proteolytic, amylase and lipase activities in the intestine of Sparidentex hasta captured from the Persian Gulf. METHODS: 60 immature S. hasta (mean weight: 520 ± 50g) were captured during summer and autumn of 2012 from Mussa Creek, North West of the Persian Gulf. After euthanization, fish were dissected and the complete digestive tracts (from stomach to anus) were removed. The intestines were separated for each fish and divided to 3 parts; proximal, mid portion and distal. After homogenization, supernatants were removed and enzymes activities were assayed chemically. RESULTS: The highest activity of protease (395.2 ± 32.6 mU mg-1 protein) was recorded in the proximal portion of the intestine compare to the 2 other parts (p<0.05) but amylase and lipase activities did not show a significant difference in 3 parts of the intestine (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the pattern of activity of digestive enzymes in S. hasta is consistent with the overall pattern of digestive enzymes activity in carnivorous fish. These data can be used to design special diets for this species.