Received: 25-12-2017 / Accepted: 09-05-2018
This study aimed to investigate the proteolytic enzyme activity of mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) larvae and crablets. Samples of crab larvae fed live feed (artemia) were collected at various stages from Zoae-1 to Crab 1. Protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin activity were analysed during larval development stages. The results showed that protease and pepsin activity increased regularly (at 3,85 - 19,1 U/mg protein and 1,69 - 8,32 U/mg protein, respectively) during lavral stage while trypsin and chymotrypsin activity were low from Zoae-1 to Zoae-5, particularly strongly fluctuated at Zoae-5, Megalope, and Crab stage. The protein hydrolyzed enzymes (protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin) started with very low activities at the early stages (Zoae-1 to Zoae-3) and increased significantly from Zoae-5 to crablet stage when the digestive system of mud crab completely developed. The findings indicated that the proteolytic enzyme activities of mud crab varied during the stages of larval development.