title: Gastrointestinal Functionality of Aquatic Animal (Oreochromis niloticus) Carcass in Water Allows Estimating Time of Death.
abstract: Postmortem changes have been previously studied in some terrestrial animal models, but no prior information is available on aquatic species. Gastrointestinal functionality was investigated in terms of indices, protein concentration, digestive enzyme activity, and scavenging activity, in an aquatic animal model, Nile tilapia, to assess the postmortem changes. Dead fish were floated indoors, and samples were collected within 48 h after death. Stomasomatic index decreased with postmortem time and correlated positively with protein, pepsin-specific activity, and stomach scavenging activity. Also intestosomatic index decreased significantly and correlated positively with protein, specific activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, lipase, and intestinal scavenging activity. In their postmortem changes, the digestive enzymes exhibited earlier lipid degradation than carbohydrate or protein. The intestine changed more rapidly than the stomach. The findings suggest that the postmortem changes of gastrointestinal functionality can serve as primary data for the estimation of time of death of an aquatic animal.
authors: Department of Applied Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand.
authors: Waraporn
authors: W
authors: Hahor
authors: Department of Applied Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand.
authors: Karun
authors: K
authors: Thongprajukaew
authors: Department of Applied Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand.
authors: Krueawan
authors: K
authors: Yoonram
authors: Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Sciences and Fisheries Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang, 92150, Thailand.
authors: Somrak
authors: S
authors: Rodjaroen
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases; D000818:Animals; D002918:Chymotrypsin; D023681:Cichlids; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D014867:Water; D000681:Amylases; D002918:Chymotrypsin
keywords: aquatic animal; digestive enzyme; forensic biology; forensic science; intestine; postmortem change; stomach