Fatty Acid Content of Farmed Rainbow Trout: How Much Should We Consume for Enough EPA and DHA?

Abstract

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA), have drawn increasing attention, recently due to their important disease-preventing and health-promoting functions. The present study investigates the fatty acids profile of rainbow trout cultured in different farms in the different provinces (Erzurum and Sakarya) of Turkey. After detecting lipids and fatty acids content, the amount of fillet required for weekly intake of 3.5 g EPA+DHA suggested by International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) for human consumption was calculated for each farm. The amount of EPA+DHA in fillets from Erzurum and Sakarya were 236.2±91.8 and 193.8±75.1 mg/g lipid, respectively, with no significant difference between the two provinces. The amounts of fillet required for weekly intake of 3.5 g EPA+DHA suggested by ISSFAL were calculated as 714±215 and 896±590 g for the farms in Erzurum and Sakarya, respectively, with no significant difference between the two provinces. Based on our results, required EPA+DHA for healthy purposes could be achieved by consuming rainbow trout approximately two or three times a week depending on the farm and the portion size.