Effects of dietary chlorogenic acid on growth, flesh quality and serum biochemical indices of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The study was to investigate effects of dietary chlorogenic acid (CGA) on growth performance, flesh quality and serum biochemical indices of grass carp (95.1 +/- 0.3g) (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fed seven different diets, including control diet, Eucommia ulmoides (EU)-supplemented diet (20g kg(-1)) and CGA-supplemented diets containing 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800mg/kg CGA. Contents of collagen and alkaline-insoluble collagen in muscle and skin were significantly increased by dietary CGA and EU (p<.05). Total essential amino acids (TEAA) and total amino acids (TAA) in muscle of grass carp fed EU diet or 400, 600 and 800mg/kg CGA diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed control diet and 100 and 200mg/kg CGA diet (p<.05). Fish fed 200-800mg/kg CGA showed significantly lower muscle crude lipid content than EU, control and 100mg/kg CGA groups (p<.05). Fish fed CGA-supplemented diets (100-800mg/kg) had significantly higher muscle fibre density and lower muscle fibre diameter than control group (p<.05). In conclusion, supplementation of CGA improved flesh quality of grass carp, and supplemental level of CGA for improving flesh quality and growth was estimated to be 400mg/kg diet.