Effects of food deprivation in muscle structure and composition of traíra (Hoplias malabaricus): potential implications on flesh quality

Hoplias malabaricus (traíra) were experimentally starved (0 to 240 days) and subsequently re-fed for 30 days (after 90 and 240-d fasting). Long-term starvation produced minor changes in muscle composition, but shrinkage of muscle fibres was a conspicuous result. The diameter of muscle fibres decreased gradually and the spaces among them increased as the starvation period progressed. After re-feeding, fish prior starved for 90 days presented partial restoration on diameter of muscle fibres. However, the fibres remained shrunken after re-feeding following 240-d fasting. While the lipid content did not change, the protein levels fell after 240-d fasting, but they were restored after re-feeding