Variations in the activity of proteolytic and lipidic enzymes of wild and cultured individuals of the prawn Macrobrachium tenellum Smith, 1871 (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) fed with different diets

Abstract

The freshwater longarm river prawn (Macrobrachium tenellumSmith, 1871) is common in the coastal lagoons and freshwater bodies of the Mexican Pacific region. Its potential for aquaculture has been investigated recently, including evaluating its nutritional needs by investigating the digestive enzymatic activity of wild and culture individuals. We collected wild prawns from three different habitats and fed two laboratory-prepared diets and a commercial food for two months. The levels of lipase, trypsin, and leucine aminopeptidase were measured at the time of sampling and after one and two months of culture. Survival and growth were also recorded. It was observed that food consumption during culture causes a significant increase in growth and survival as well as a tendency towards an increase in the digestive enzymatic activity with time. The habitat of origin can also influence performance in digestion from the start.