Apparent digestibility coefficients of carbohydrates for white sturgeon

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) were determined for white sturgeons (Acipenser transmontanus) fed purified diets containing different carbohydrates. White sturgeons were fed, at a rate of 1.0% body weight!d, diets containing one of nine carbohydrates, and feces were collected by manual stripping following a 2‐week feeding period; chromium sesquioxide (Cr₂O₃) was used as an external indicator. The ADCs of carbohydrates, lipid, and protein were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by carbohydrate source. The ADCs of carbohydrates ranked as follows: glucose, galactose, and maltose > dextrin > fructose and sucrose > lactose and raw corn starch > cellulose. Inclusion of dietary fructose and lactose significantly reduced lipid digestibility (P < 0.05). Although protein indigestibility was significantly affected, all ADCs were greater than 92%.