DOI: 10.14798/71.1.620
Bibliography
GUSTATORY RESPONSE OF COMMON CARP CYPRINUS CARPIO TO VARIABLE CONCENTRATIONS OF TWO STIMULATORY AMINO ACIDS
2013, 71 (1) p. 1-10
Jonathan David Wood, Paola Soledad Arce Azócar
Abstract
Common carp possesses a highly evolved gustatory system that is stimulated by a narrow range of free amino acids including L-cysteine and L-proline. A synergetic effect on the gustatory response of a combination of these two substances has not previously been demonstrated. In this study, groups of common carp were randomly presented with different concentrations of L-cysteine (0-0.1 M) and L-proline (0-0.05 M) in agar pellets in one minute trials. First retention duration, total retention duration during each trial and the number of ingestions (pellet acceptances) were recorded for each of a total of 690 trials. Palatability, pellet consumption rate and average pellet acceptances were calculated for each pellet type. It was shown that L-cysteine was more highly stimulatory than L-proline but no synergism between the two regarding the gustatory response was observed. The results are relevant for the formulation of aquafeeds and angling baits for carp.