A Study On Body Biochemical Composition Of Freshwater Crayfish, Astacus Leptodactylus In Various Stages Of Life Cycle 

KARIMZADEH Katayoon¹, ZAHMATKESH Asgar², KHANAHMADI Ehsan²

¹ Marine biology department, Azad university branch of Lahijan, 1616, Lahijan, Iran

² Mirza Koochak Khan Higher Education Center for Fishery Science and Technology, Rasht , Iran

ABSTRACT

In the current study biochemical contents such as protein, lipid, moisture, fiber and ash in crayfish body was investigated. Samples have prepared of three stages during maintained crayfish in pond. Biochemical analysis of crayfish body has done in various organs in male and female separately.

The mean biochemical constituents were following as 35-45% protein, 2-3.5% lipid, 63-67% moisture, 12-13.5% fiber and 27-35% ash in whole body of crayfish. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in biochemical contents between male and female , but there were observed significantly differences among biochemical constituents in various organs ( P<0.05 ) . Lipid and ash contents were increased with age increment, but protein content was decreased. In both males and females , large crayfish (with weight 15-20g) had higher lipid, fiber and ash percentage than small crayfish ( 1-5 g).Percentage protein improved as the body weight increased in female but reduced in male. However, the protein content in muscle tail and lipid in visceral of the animals ( males and females) was higher than the other organs ( claw , carapace , tail shed and tail).

The data was obtained in this study could help us to determine the nutrients levels in crayfish artificial diets for different stages of life cycle. Because of high protein content of inedible part of body of crayfish, it was recommended to use it in livestock, poultry and fish feed.

 KEYWORDS: Body composition , Crayfish , Astacus leptoductylus