The effects of long-day photoperiod on growth, body composition and skin colour in immature gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) |
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| Authors: | Rafael Ginés Juan Manuel Afonso Anastasio Argüello María Jesús Zamorano & Juan Luis López |
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| Institution: | Department of Animal Production, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain |
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| Abstract: | Immature gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) with a mean initial weight of 25.6 g were reared over 11 months to market size under different photoperiods: 16L:8D; 24L:0D and a control. Differences in final mean weight were significant between the three treatments (P<0.001): 16L:8D, 465.0 g; 24L:0D, 445.9 g; control, 402.6 g. Fish from the 24L:0D consumed most while 16L:8D fish converted it most efficiently. The lipid content of fillets was lower (P<0.05) for the 24L:0D (5.37±0.16 g 100 g?1 of fillet) than for the control (6.02±0.12 g), and the moisture content lower for the control than for either treatment groups. Skin luminosity (L*) was directly related to the number of hours of light exposure. |
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| Keywords: | growth photoperiod body composition skin colour Sparus aurata |
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