Abstract:

The nutrient composition of muscles of wild and farmed grass carp were analyzed by generic methods.
The results showed that the content of crude protein in muscle of wild grass carp was significantly higher than that
of farmed grass carp (P＜ 0.01) while the contents of crude fat and moisture in muscle of wild grass carp were
significantly lower than those of farmed grass carp (P ＜ 0.05). A total of 18 amino acids was detected in muscles
of grass carp, and the contents of total amino acids and essential amino acids in muscle of wild grass carp were
significantly higher than those of farmed grass carp (P ＜ 0.05). The essential amino index (EAAI) of wild grass carp
(67.4) was higher than that of farmed grass carp (66.1) whereas no significant difference was observed in the total
content of delicious amino acids between wild and farmed grass carp. The total contents of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)
in muscles of wild and farmed grass carp were 89.45% and 96.70%, respectively, which were higher than those of
saturated fatty acids (SFA). However, there were significant differences in fatty acids composition of muscles between
wild and farmed grass carp. The total content of SFA in muscle of wild grass carp was significantly higher than that of
farmed grass carp (P ＜ 0.01) while the total content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) was significantly lower
than that of farmed grass carp (P ＜ 0.01). No significant difference was found in the total content of polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFA) between wild and farmed grass carp. The total content of n-3 PUFA in muscle of wild grass carp,
however, was significantly higher than that of farmed grass carp (P ＜ 0.01). The total content of n-6 PUFA in muscle
of wild grass carp was significantly lower than that of farmed grass carp (P ＜ 0.05). These results demonstrated
insufficient addition of n-3 PUFA in the diet of grass carp. In summary, the muscle of wild grass carp showed higher
nutritional value than that of farmed grass carp.

Key words: Ctenopharyngodon idellus, muscle, nutrient composition, amino acids, fatty acids