Inter annual and seasonal dynamics in amino acid, mineral and vitamin composition of Epinephelus diacanthus (Valenciennes, 1828)

Abstract

Epinephelus diacanthus was studied for the spatial (south west and south east coasts of India), annual (2008-2011) and seasonal (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) variations of total protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. These nutrients have been correlated with the chlorophyll-a concentration and sea surface temperature of its habitat. Mean protein content attained highest values during pre-monsoon along both the SW and SE coasts, with high proportions of essential amino acids. Essential to non-essential amino acid ratio, total aromatic and total sulphated amino acids recorded monsoon maxima, and were independent of the sampling locations. Amino acid scores observed monsoon and post-monsoon maxima along the SW and SE coast, respectively. Minerals were significantly higher during the monsoon season along the SE coast (P<0.05). Significant seasonal variations in vitamin content were observed along the coasts with high vitamin A, D3 and C in south west coast and higher vitamin E and K in south east coast.