Poonsuk Prasertsan and Thiraratana Prachumratana

pp. 73 - 76

Abstract

Tuna viscera accounts for 7-8% of body weight and its value is still underutilized. This paper investigated on the influence of three tuna species and their individual visceral organ on the activities of three enzymes in tuna viscera. Results revealed that visceral enzymes of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) possessed the highest protease activity (3.09 U.mg^-1 protein) and lipase activity (0.05 U.mg^-1 protein) compared to those of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and tonggol tuna (Thunnus
albacares). None of them contained amylolytic activity. Among the individual visceral organ (stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen), spleen was the best source for protease (0.723 U.mg^-1 protein) while pancreas gave the highest value of lipase activity (0.03 U.mg^-1 protein).