Digestive enzymes of two freshwater fishes (Limia vittata and Gambusia punctata) with different dietary preferences at three developmental stages

Abstract

The variation of activity of some digestive enzymes was studied in three age groups of two freshwater endemic fishes from Cuba: Limia vittata and Gambusia punctata. Trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylase activities showed a different pattern between both species. Trypsin and chymotrypsin activity increased with the age of fishes, while amylase activity decreased. The highest activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin was registered in G. punctata while the highest amylase activity was detected in L. vittata. Zymograms revealed proteases with molecular masses similar to trypsin and chymotrypsin reported for other fish species. Amylase electrophoresis showed the presence of this enzyme; in L. vittata amylase zymograms showed two bands with molecular masses of 175 and 100 kDa and in G. punctata four bands of 175, 100, 46 and 30 kDa respectively were found. The activity of the digestive enzymes can be used as an effective indicator of the feeding habits and the development of the digestive tracts in L. vittata and G. punctata.