Dietary Taurine Supplementation Influence on the Growth and Metabolic activity of Fish: Juvenile, Cichlid, and Teleost

Taurine (2-aminoethane sulfonic acid) is β-amino acid based exclusively on plant protein. Moreover, it is  a small organic compound that contains sulphur and is present in a large amount in various organs, such as the liver, retina, kidney, and the intracellular space of the brain, blood cells, muscles, tissues, and the heart of the invertebrate species. Taurine contains two functional groups, one is an alkaline amino group, while the other is an acidic sulfonic group. Review articles have demonstrated the beneficial impact of dietary taurine on the growth and metabolism of various fish species upon using as a dietary supplement. The role of taurine for underlying metabolic functions have been poorly understood.  After reviewing the literature, some changes in metabolic functions were described, including the alterations in the content of the amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, and carbohydrates. The results showed that the growth and physiological functions in the body of fish may greatly be regulated by dietary taurine supplementation in fish species. The activity of  cysteine sulphinate decarboxylase (CSD) plays an important role during  taurine biosynthesis. This study recapitulated the existing information on the functions of dietary taurine in fish, principally in the juvenile, the cichlid fish (The Nile tilapia), and the teleost. In addition, this review emphasized the structure of taurine, its physiological functions, biosynthesis, and the effects of dietary taurine on fish growth, health, and metabolic functions when included as a supplement in their diet..