Beschreibung:
<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>The specific activities of 10 different digestive enzymes, taken from the hepatopancreas of the freshwater prawn (<jats:italic>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</jats:italic>), were determined. The prawns were 70–110 mm in length and were fed Purina Marine Ration #25 daily.</jats:p><jats:p>The extracts of <jats:italic>M. rosenbergii</jats:italic> hepatopancreas exhibited significant activity for the following enzymes: amylase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, carboxypeptidase A and B, and leucine aminopeptidase. In addition, the lipolytic enzymes exhibited high esterase activity and only a trace of lipase activity.</jats:p><jats:p>From this enzyme profile <jats:italic>M. rosenbergii</jats:italic> is appropriately classified an omnivore. The levels of specific activity reveal the prawn's ability to effectively hydrolyze Purina Marine Ration #25 and further implies that increased protein and starch levels would still be hydrolyzed efficiently. Although individual differences in activities were demonstrated, no direct relationship to sex or size could be detected.</jats:p><jats:p>In summary, studies concerning the digestive physiology of <jats:italic>M. rosenbergii</jats:italic> may provide a more logical and efficient approach to its dietary requirements for mariculture.</jats:p>