SOME BIOCHEMICAL CNSTITUENTS AND THE CALORIFIC VALUES OF DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE BODY MUSUCULATURE OF POND MURREL CHANNA PUNCTATUS BLOCH

Abstract

A study of the distribution of some chemical constituents in the musculature of
Channa punctatus Bloch showed it to be fairly heterogeneous. The increase in the
levels of protein, fat, ash, total carbohydrates, glycogen, RNA, DNA and cholesterol
towards the posterior region of the fillet was the result of increase in the
number of cells per unit weight of the sample and in the concentration of
myocommata. The distribution of water in the musculature was inversely related
to that of the fat. The concentration of protein appeared to be associated with the
RNA level. The posterior region of the fillet exhibited more calorific value than
the anterior region.