Proteomic Analysis of Snakehead Fish (Channa striata) Muscle Tissue

Snakehead fish, also known as Haruan, is recognized in Asia Pacific countries as a remedy for healing of wounds. The fish enhances dermal wound healing and reduces post-operative pain and discomfort. The efficacy of wild type snakehead fish has made it a common food served to women after childbirth or those who had undergone surgery. Due to high demands of snakehead fish, farming of the fish is now carried out commercially. However, the flesh of cultured snakehead fish has been said to produce different texture from the wild type fish. In this study, analysis of the protein composition of the flesh of snakehead fish was carried out. Wild type snakehead fish of different sizes and caught in different months of the year were compared. The data showed that fish of smaller sizes yielded higher protein content as compared to the bigger fish. However, protein profiles of the fish were similar for all the different months of catching. The major group of protein in snakehead fish was enzymes, followed by structural proteins. The protein profile displayed may be used as a reference for farming and culturing of snakehead fish