Posted by Thamnophile on March 11, 2003 at 23:59:21:
In Reply to: Re: thiaminase posted by Johnnic on March 11, 2003 at 18:03:18:
If I remember correctly (finally, lol!)what Brian Macker told me... different species or families of fishes contain thiaminase. One of these families of fishes are the Cyprinidae or carps. Goldfish and minnows (rosies, fatheads, etc.) are carps. One of the fish that doesn't contain thiaminase is trout. I think some ocean living fishes are ok. Pollock doesn't contain thiaminase. Someone once posted a link to a document that listed which fish contain thiaminase and which don't. If I can find it, I'll repost it later.
Lisa
:i think brian macker answered the question a while ago. goldfish and rosy reds are freshwater "feeder fish." all fish contain thiaminase. some more than others (goldfish>rosy reds). once a fish is frozen the thiaminase is released from the cells and therefore, there is more thiaminase in frozen thawed feeder fish. thiaminase is an enzyme that breaks down thiamine. thiamine is necessary for neurological processes to occur (co-factor in biochemical reactions in the brain). garter snakes that are fed exclusively on feeder fish will sooner or later come down with neurological problems if the feeder fish aren't supplemented with thiamine. hope this helps.
