Seasonal variations of proximate compositions, muscle lipids and fatty acids (FA) of seven seawater species (Silllago sihoma, Upeneus pori, Sparus aurata, Saurida undosquamis, Epinephelus auneus, Mullus barbatus, Solea solea) from the Mediterranean Sea, were determined in all seasons. The results showed that the fatty acid compositions of each species ranged from 26.41 to 38.70% saturated (SFA), 13.78 to 26.52% monounsaturated (MUFAs) and 25.02 to 50.83% PUFAs. The highest proportions of EPA were obtained from M. barbatus (8.34%) in spring, S. sihoma (7.54%), U. pori (6.75%), S. aurata (6.31%), S. undosquamis (5.12%), E. auneus (5.10%) in summer, and also S. solea (6.19%) in spring. The highest proportions of DHA were found in spring, ranging from 25.14% for M. barbatus to 34.87% for S. aurata, except for S. solea (30.44%) in winter and S. sihoma (15.83%) in summer. The results showed that from a quality point of view, all species were suitable for human nutrition, since muscle lipids are rich in EPA þ DHA in all seasons.Practical application: The American and Canadian Dietetic Associations recommend two servings of fatty fish per week and a daily combined intake of EPA and DHA of 500 mg. This follows a trend of numerous publications and other guidelines recognizing the health benefits of long-chain n-3 PUFA from fish or marine microbial sources with respect to cardiovascular health, neurological diseases, infant health and development, inflammation and cancer and other health effects. The seven species analyzed here provide muscle lipids that are rich in EPA and DHA. Only minor season-to-season changes in the total content of n-3 and n-6 PUFA were observed for the same species. The results provide valuable information for preparing diet tables.
Seasonal variations in the fatty acid compositions of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) captured from Iskenderun bay, northeastern Mediterranean, were investigated. In all sampling seasons, the major fatty acids of red mullet were palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), palmitoleic acid (16:1), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω3). The fatty acid contents of red mullet were influenced by seasonality. The levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid were 17.32% in autumn, 17.69% in winter and 20.13% in spring. The levels of DHA in the total fatty acids in autumn, winter and spring were 4.36, 8.25 and 10.89%, while those of EPA were 7.93, 4.59 and 4.56, respectively. The present study suggest that red mullet is a good source of ω3 series fatty acids, and the weekly consumption of 300 g of red mullet in autumn, winter or summer could meet EPA + DHA requirements of people.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Red mullet is one of the most commercially important fish species in many Mediterranean countries. Little information is available on the fatty acid composition of red mullet. Therefore, seasonal proximate analysis and the fatty acid composition of red mullet were determined and discussed in this paper. There is much interest in the beneficial effects on human health that is related to consumption of marine lipids. Determination of the effects of different fishing seasons on the fatty acid composition of red mullet will provide valuable information concerning the nutrient value of this seafood for both consumers and the researchers working on nutrient tables. In addition, this basic information will be obtained for the fish processing industry.
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