DETERMINATION OF THE MEAT BIOCHEMISTRY OF PONTIC SHAD Alosa immaculata (Bennett, 1835) DURING MIGRATION.

The biochemical analysis of fish tissue is considered a dependable indicator of the fish's quality, nutritional content, physiological condition, and environmental habitat. Alosa immaculata (Bennett, 1835) is a migratory fish species with great ecological and economic importance, which undergoes a remarkable journey during its migration. As A. immaculata embarks on its migration, the dynamic biochemical changes in its meat composition offer valuable information that contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the species' adaptation to the challenges posed by migration. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the meat biochemistry of Pontic Shad during the period of migration from three different points: Station 1 - Saint Gheorghe Branch, Station 2 - Sulina Branch, and Station 3 - Brăila, km 169 and km 197 of the Danube River. Significant differences (p<0.05) were recorded in the level of water, lipid, and ash, while no differences were recorded in the level of proteins (p>0.05). Notably, the lipid content in the meat samples from the Sulina exhibited the highest percentage, while the protein content in the samples from the St. Gheorghe arm surpassed that of the Sulina and Brăila, indicating differences in nutritional profiles that could be attributed to physiological adaptations during migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]