EFFECT OF GROWTH ON THE LEVELS OF FREE HISTIDINE AND AMINO-ACIDS IN WHITE MUSCLE OF MILKFISH (CHANOS-CHANOS)

Accumulation patterns of free amino acids (FAAs) in white muscle of mi lkfish (Chanos chanos) during the period of 8-month growth were invest igated. Histidine, taurine, and glycine were the predominant FAAs. An increase in histidine was observed during growth. The level present in the 1-month-reared fish (mean weight = 58 g) was about 5 times higher than that in the initial fish (1.4 g). After 8 months of growth, milk fish contained 59 mu mol/g, which was responsible for 72% of the total FAAs. There was a positive correlation between the histidine content and fish body weight. In contrast, taurine decreased with increasing r earing time. The glycine level was not correlated well with fish size. The total relative amounts of histidine, taurine, and glycine remaine d about the same, although the individual contributions varied conside rably in the FAA pool during the period of cultivation.