Assessment of digestive enzyme activities during larval development of white bream

Activity of some of the main enzymes involved in protein digestion and absorption (acid and alkaline proteases, leucine-aminopeptidase, acid and alkaline phosphatases) as well as those of amylase and lipase, was assessed during larval development of white sea bream Diplodus sargus. All enzyme activity was detected at the moment of mouth opening. The variations observed in the activity profiles of the digestive enzymes were correlated either to developmental events, such as the functional start of the stomach (22 days after hatching), or to changes in the nature of the diet. The early and noticeable development of digestive enzyme activities was linked to a high survival after weaning. (C) 2003 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.