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Salutary value of haruan, the striped snakehead Channa striatus - a review
Mohammed Abdul Kader Haniffa1, Paul Asir Jeya Sheela1, Kumaresan Kavitha1
1Centre for Aquaculture Research and Extension (CARE), St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai 627 002, India.
Insights
Channa striatus (haruan) is rich in essential fatty and amino acids, demonstrating significant health benefits. This fish exhibits antinociceptive, antioxidant, and antidepressant properties, supporting its role as a functional food.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Channa striatus (haruan) is recognized for its nutritional value and potential health-promoting properties.
- Understanding its biochemical composition is key to unlocking its medicinal applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze the biochemical composition of Channa striatus.
- To evaluate its pharmacological activities, including antinociceptive, antioxidant, and antidepressant effects.
- To compare its functional properties with other fish species.
Main Methods:
- Fatty acid profiling using gas chromatography.
- Analysis of protein content and functional properties (water absorption, emulsification) of roe concentrates.
- In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH radical scavenging, ferric reducing power).
- Evaluation of antinociceptive activity of fillet and mucus extracts.
- Investigation of skin extract's effect on the serotonergic system.
Main Results:
- Channa striatus is abundant in essential fatty acids, including arachidonic acid (C20:4), a prostaglandin precursor.
- Roe protein concentrates (RPC) from Channa striatus showed high protein content (90.2%) and superior functional properties compared to Lates RPC.
- Haruan extracts demonstrated concentration-dependent antinociceptive activity and higher in vitro antioxidant activity than Labeo roe hydrolysates.
- Skin extract showed potential antidepressant effects by influencing the serotonergic system.
Conclusions:
- Channa striatus possesses a rich nutritional profile with significant therapeutic potential.
- Its extracts exhibit valuable pharmacological activities, supporting its use as a functional food or 'food as medicine'.
- Further research into haruan's bioactive compounds can lead to novel health interventions.
Abstract:
Murrel namely Channa striatus or haruan contains all essential elements to maintain good health and to recover the lost energy after prolonged illness. The fatty acid composition (% of total fatty acid) indicated the abundant presence of C16:0 fatty acid as 30% and the other major fatty acids were C22:6 (15%), C20:4 (19%), C18:1 (12%) and C18:0 (15%). Haruan contains arachidonic acid (C20:4) as 19.0%, a precursor for prostaglandin and thromboxane biosyntheses. Both fatty and amino acids are important components for wound healing processes. Both the fillet and mucus extracts of haruan were found to exhibit a concentration dependent antinociceptive activity. In vitro antioxidant activity was higher in Channa roe protein hydrolysate than in Labeo roe protein hydrolysate in both DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing power. Protein content of roe concentrates (RPC) was found to be 90.2% (Channa) and 82.5% (Lates). Water absorption, oil absorption, foam capacity, stability and emulsifying capacity were found to be higher in Channa RPC than in Lates RPC. Characterization of protein hydrolysates from muscle and myofibrillar samples of haruan showed different kinetic and proteolytic activities. The skin extract of haruan influences the serotonergic receptor system thus they can function as an anti-depressant. Thus, haruan is the best example for food as medicine.
