[Free and total amino acids in the muscles of ice fish (Champsocephalus gunnari Lönnberg) and krill (Euphausia superba Dana)].

Abstract

In the muscle tissue of sea-frozen ice fish (Champsocephalus gunnari Lönnberg) and of krill (Euphausia superba Dana) the amino-acid composition, the free amino acids and some other compounds interesting from a physiological point of view were determined. The low contents in labile energy-rich phosphate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in ice fish suggest that the glycolytic processes were nearly completed already after freezing on sea and that they had been of only moderate significance for the metabolism, as was demonstrated also by findings on the pattern of the free amino acids and related compounds. The composition of the amino acids of the edible parts of ice fish largely corresponded to other fish. The amino acid composition of the abdominal muscle tissue of krill and of other crustaceans was comparable as well. The shares particularly of essential amino acids in ice fish and krill fulfilled the requirements of a protein of high biological value.