The effects of starvation on the concentration of total and L-ascorbic acid in the organs of juvenile sea bream (Sparus aurata L.)

Abstract

      Juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata, L.) were kept under starvation for 98 days. Starvation resulted in growth inhibition, and significant decline in weight, condition coefficient and hepatosomatic index, which were also due to the time of sampling. Brain and liver total ascorbic acid content decreased with time whereas kidney content increased. Gill total ascorbic acid significantly increased on the 67th day of the experiment. Significant changes in L-asorbic acid content occurred in the liver and gills, whereas there were no significant changes in the brain, kidney and white muscle.

      The principal component anlysis (PCA) revealed that the most part of variance accounts for the changes in the brain, liver and white muscle total and L-asorbic acid levels which coincide in time and are negatively correlated with the gill and kidney total and L-asorbic acid levels. It has also been shown by the method of principal components that starvation appears to affect ascorbic acid content in juvenile gilthead sea bream from 26th day on.