Time course of muscle fatty acid composition of cultured meagre (<em>Argyrosomus regius</em>) during the first sixteen months of a cage culture

Abstract

SUMMARY:Juvenile meagre were sampled at intervals during their first 500 days in a cage-based fish farm. Fish muscle showed a relatively low fat content (0.65-2.0%) when compared with other species of farmed fish, corroborating the consideration of meagre as a lean fish. At the beginning of the assay, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were in a similar proportion (approximately 30%), while polyunsaturated were close to 39% of total FAs, the n-3:n-6 ratio being of 3.8. Throughout the experiment a notable reduction in the sum of PUFA n-3 and an increase of linoleic (18:2n-6) and oleic acid (18:1n-9) was found. These changes led to a fall of n-3:n-6 ratio to values close to or lower than 1.0. Most probably, these changes reflect variations in the feeding regime applied during farming. In any case, fish offered good indices of lipid quality for human consumption. KEYWORDS:Aquaculture; Argyrosomus regius; Fatty acids profile; Muscle; n-3:n-6 ratio RESUMEN: Evolución del contenido en lípidos y ácidos grasos del músculo de la corvina (Argyrosomus regius) durante los primeros dieciséis meses de cultivo en jaulas flotantes. Se han muestreado corvinas juveniles durante los 500 primeros días de cultivo en jaulas flotantes. El contenido en grasa muscular fue relativamente bajo (0,65-2 %) en relación con otras especies de peces cultivados, lo que corrobora su consideración de pez magro. Al principio del ensayo, los ácidos grasos saturados y monoinsaturados mostraron una proporción del 30%, mientras que los poliinsaturados de un 39% del total de FAs, siendo la relación n-3/n-6 de 3,8. A lo largo del periodo experimental hubo una reducción notable de PUFAs n-3 y un incremento de ácido linoleico (18:2n-6) y, en menor proporción, de ácido oleico (18:1n-9), lo que llevó a una disminución de la relación n-3/n-6 hasta valores cercanos o menores de 1,0. Estos cambios reflejan variaciones en la composición del alimento durante el cultivo. En cualquier caso, la corvina ofrece buenos índices de calidad lipídica para la salud del consumidor.

Trace Elements and Fatty Acid Profile of Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) from Mediterranean Aquaculture

“…Among the essential nutritional contributions to humans, the family of lipids is also considered as essential to the development and functioning of the human body. Fish lipids are well known to be rich in long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA or C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA or C22:6 n-3 DHA) which play a vital role in the human nutrition [10]. They are called semi-essential because they can be synthesized by the human body only in small amounts and thus may have to be supplied at least in part by the diet.…”

Effects of gutting process on the shelf life of cultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius ASSO, 1801) stored at 4 ± 1 °C

“…According to Grigorakis et al (2011) reared meagre has distincly different qualities from most other reared Mediterranean fish and include very low total fat content and high polar lipids content. García Mesa et al (2014) studied the juvenile meagre and stated that meagre offered good indices of lipid quality for human consumption. Information on quality, body composition and shelf life of meagre stored in cold conditions is available in literature (Poli et al, 2003;Nunes et al, 2003, Hernández et al, 2009, Genç et al, 2013, Sáez et al, 2014.…”

Comparison of Fatty Acid and Biochemical Composition of Cultured Meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso 1801) in Two Different Regions of Turkey

“…This case can be explained by that the cultured meagre uses protein in the feed not only for meat efficiency but also for energy metabolism and fat taken from the feed is stored in the body. García Mesa et al [1]. Reported that lipid content of cultured meagre was higher than wild meagre.…”

“…There is evidence suggesting that future fish requirements for human consumption must be covered by increasingly higher ratio with aquaculture and thus a sustainable development of this activity is needed [1]. Nowadays, there is a raised interest among aquaculturists around the world for the fast growing species, such as cobia (Rachycentrom canadum), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), meagre (Argyrosomus regius), common dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), different species of groupers (Epinephelus sp.)…”

“…Experts in human nutrition and health agree that fish included in the 2 Comparison of Fatty Acid and Biochemical Composition of Cultured Meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso 1801) in Two Different Regions of Turkey daily diet helps prevent certain diseases such as cardiovascular ones. The beneficial effect seems to lie in the lipid component of fish and certain MUFAs and PUFAs, mainly those of the n-3 series [1]. Today, the quality parameters of the aquatic products have begun to be discussed together with the changing and developing quality understanding.…”