Investigation of fat content in market common carp (Cyprinus carpio) flesh during the growing season

Abstract

Effects of supplemental feeding with cereals (rye, triticale, maize and the unsupplemental control group) on fat content in flesh of 3‐year‐old common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were the subject of study carried out at four ponds (Czech Republic, Central Europe) during the growing season. The main result was that supplemental feeding with cereals to the same energetic level was associated with varying growth and fat content in the flesh of common carp. At the end of the experiment, the stock of fish supplementally fed with maize was found to have the highest fat content (112.7 ± 15.6 g kg−1), while the lowest value of fat content was found in the control group (56.8 ± 9.4 g kg−1). The carps supplementally fed with rye were found to have a higher fat content (90.1 ± 19.0) than those supplementally fed with triticale (84.3 ± 15.7 g kg−1). Established average fat content values (except for maize) were at the level that indicate a high sensory quality of carp flesh during the whole growing season.

Untitled

“…After recalculation our values were comparable to those calculated from Bauer and Schlott (2009). Also when compared to other studies (Gela et al, 2003;Urbánek et al, 2010) using BL for calculation of FC, ourvalues are similar (3.2-3.7 and 2.9-3.7, respectively). Urbánek et al (2010) used the same carp breed (Třeboň scaly common carp) whereas Gela et al (2003) used four different common carp crossbreeds.…”

“…In general, diets supplemented with cereal produce higher fat content in fish flesh compared to that in fish dependent only on natural food (zooplankton and zoobenthos) (Steffens, 1985;Urbánek et al, 2010;Zajic et al, 2013). Since cereals have a high proportion of carbohydrates as a primary source of energy (Sadowsky and Trzebiatowsky, 1995;Sargent et al, 2002), their oversupply results in higher deposition of fat (Yamamoto et al, 2003).…”

“…L) and durability of rye (Secale cereale L) (McGoverin et al, 2011). This cereal has already been shown to be suitable for supplementation of common carp (Urbánek et al, 2010).…”

“…This stocking density allows a sufficient level of zooplankton throughout most of the season (Urbánek et al, 2010).…”

“…Common carp can utilize large amounts of carbohydrates due to high levels of amylase and maltase activity (Urbánek et al, 2010). However, the utilization of raw starches, which form the major constituent of cereal grains, can vary from 60 to 70% depending on the characteristics of the cereal (Hernández et al, 1994;Medale et al, 1999;Krogdahl et al, 2005).…”