Effects of Wakame Undaria pinnatifida and Ascophyllum nodosum on Absorption of Dietary Nutrients, and Blood Sugar and Plasma Free Amino-N Levels of Red Sea Bream

Abstract

In order to clarify the causes of the improvement of the growth and feed efficiency by the supplement of seaweed in the previous study, diets with and without 5 % Ascophyllum, 5 % and 10% Wakame were fed once to red sea bream at a fixed level, and the changes in percent absorption of carbohydrate and protein and in blood sugar and plasma free amino-N levels after the feeding were determined. The supplement of seaweed into the diets at a 5% level delayed the absorption of carbohydrate and protein, and the blood sugar and plasma free amino-N levels did not increase between the 2nd and 5th hour after the feeding. From these findings, it can be assumed that the dietary nutrients are utilized effectively by this delaying effect of seaweed, thus the growth and feed efficiency of red sea bream are improved. © 1986, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.