Influence of dietary nucleotide on growth performance and fatty acids profile of cultured grouper, Epinepheluscoioides

The effects of dietary nucleotide at 5 levels of 0.0% (Control), 0.15%, 0.25%, 0.35% and 0.5% on the body composition and fatty acids of the grouper, Epinepheluscoioides, with initial weight of 10.70 ± 0.29 g was investigated for a period of 10 weeks. The results indicated improvedgrowth parameters uponadding nucleotide. The best value of growth parameters were observed at nucleotide level of 0.35% that statistically showed higher values for final weight, weight gain andcondition factor than other treatments (P0.05). The 0.35% nucleotide level also resulted in a better fatty acids profile, including EPA, EPA౰ and n-3 than the control. However, 0.5% nucleotide showed significantly higher saturated fatty acids, MUFA and n3/n6 than the control. No significant differences were observed in arachidonic acid and DHA among the treatments (P>0.05). Chemical analysis showed the highest muscle protein in 0.15% and the highest muscle fat in 0.15 and 0.25 treatments, which were significantly higher (P