Seasonal variation in fatty acid profiles of threadfin breams, Nemipterus mesoprion (Bleeker, 1853) and Nemipterus japonicas (Bloch, 1791) with respect to their size

Abstract

In order to evaluate its nutritive value, seasonal variation in total lipid and fatty acid profiles of different sizes of threadfin breams (Nempiterus mesoprion and N. japonicus) were studied. Total lipid content was significantly (P<0.05) high in large sizes of N. mesoprion and N. japonicus captured during winter and lowest in small groups during post-monsoon season. A total of 37 fatty acids were identified by GC-MS encompassing saturated, mono unsaturated, n-6, n-3 poly unsaturated and odd and branched chain fatty acids. High levels of n-3 PUFA (13.37 – 36.27%) and favourable n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio of 2.25 to 3.3 revealed nutritional significance of threadfin breams in human diet. Difference between small, medium and large groups of N. mesoprion and N. japonicus of respective seasons based on fatty acid composition were clearly established by principal component analysis.