Estimation of Amino Acid Quality of Food for Benthic Invertebrates and Fish on the Basis of Comparative Study of Amino Acids of Periphyton and Zoobenthos of the Yenisey River

Abstract

Аmino acid (AA) composition of periphyton and zoobenthos of the shallow part in the middle section of the Yenisei River on the basis of monthly sampling during 2007-2010 was studied. Seasonal variations in the amino acid profile of periphyton were detected, which may be related to seasonal succession of microalgae species. Pronounced differences in AA compositions of different species of riverine zoobenthos were found. The imbalance in amino acid profile of macrozoobenthos compared to its food, that is periphyton, in respect of two essential amino acids – lysine and histidine, was shown. The nutritional value of Gammarus – the recent invader in the studied section of the Yenisei River was evaluated and compared to that of indigenous taxa – trichopteran and chironomid larvae

Keywords

• amino acids
• periphyton
• zoobenthos
• fish
• food quality
• the Yenisey River