Effects of various lengths of starvation on body parameters and meat composition in intensively reared pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of various lengths of starving periods on weight changes of different body parts and on chemical composition of the pike perch fillets. Forty cultured, market size (average bodyweight: 732.2±129.8 g), pikeperch of mixed sex were divided into 5 groups (n=8 in each), where one group were sampled at the starting time as a farm control, two groups were continuously fed for 3 and 6 weeks before slaughter, and the experimental groups were withdrawn from feed for 3 and 6 weeks before slaughter. Slaughter took place without any stress caused by transport or waiting times. Body parameters such as total body weights and the weights of 10 differentiated body parts, namely the gonad, the alimentary canal, the liver, the abdominal fat, the vertebral with unmatched fins, the head with the double fins, the two side fillets and the skins of both side fillets were monitored during the experimental period in each group. All body parts were defined and compared as the percentages of the total body weights. The chemical compositions of the fillets were examined by Weende analysis, thus dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and crude ash were measured. Increasing the length of the starving period reduced the body weight, mainly due to losses in intraperitoneal fat, although decreased fillet weights were found, caused by the depression of the intramuscular fat.