B-586 [1-6] Fatty acid compositions and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices of commonly consumed marine, brackish and fresh water fishes

Abstract

The fatty acid contents of marine, brackish and fresh water fishes were identified and quantified by gas chromatography. It was found that marine fishes were better sources of n-3 fatty acids, whereas fresh and brackish water fishes were better sources of n-6 fatty acids. Marine fish had the highest amount of PUFA. Among PUFAs, docosadienoic acid (C22:2n6) and adrenic acid (C22:4n6) were identified in 20 fishes. EPA and DHA was significantly higher in marine fishes (p< 0.01), particularly, Dussumieria acuta, the rainbow sardine (24.80 mg g-1). Gerres abbreviates, the silver belly (20.16 mg g-1) and Tricusurus savala, the wolf herring (23.34 mg g-1). The n-3: n-6 ratio was significantly higher in marine fishes (p < 0.05) than in the brackish and fresh water fishes studied. Atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity(TI) values were significantly higher in both fresh and brackish water fishes and significantly lower (p < 0.01) in marine fishes.

Full text

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE
www.arccjournals.com/www.ijaronline.in
B-586
[1-6]
*Corresponding author’s e-mail: chand_oo@yahoo.com
1Department of Zoology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, Chenkalady, 30350, Sri Lanka.
2Department of Food Science and Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila, Sri Lanka.
3Department of Biochemistry, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Indian J. Anim. Res.,
Print ISSN:0367-6722 / Online ISSN:0976 -0555
Fatty acid compositions and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices of
commonly consumed marine, brackish and fresh water fishes
Chandravathany Devadawson1*, Chamila Jayasinghe2 and Ramiah Sivakanesan3
Department of Zoology, Eastern University,
Sri Lanka, Chenkalady, 30350, Sri Lanka.
Received: 27-07-2016 Accepted: 23-11-2016
ABSTRACT
The fatty acid contents of marine, brackish and fresh water fishes were identified and quantified by gas chromatography. It
was found that marine fishes were better sources of n-3 fatty acids, whereas fresh and brackish water fishes were better
sources of n-6 fatty acids. Marine fish had the highest amount of PUFA. Among PUFAs, docosadienoic acid (C22:2n6) and
adrenic acid (C22:4n6) were identified in 20 fishes. EPA and DHA was significantly higher in marine fishes (p< 0.01),
particularly, Dussumieria acuta, the rainbow sardine (24.80 mg g-1). Gerres abbreviates, the silver belly (20.16 mg g-1) and
Tricusurus savala, the wolf herring (23.34 mg g-1). The n-3: n-6 ratio was significantly higher in marine fishes (p < 0.05)
than in the brackish and fresh water fishes studied. Atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity(TI) values were significantly
higher in both fresh and brackish water fishes and significantly lower (p < 0.01) in marine fishes.
Key words: Artherogenicity, Docosahexaenoic acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid, Polyunsaturated fatty acid, Saturated fatty
acid, Thrombogencity.
INTRODUCTION
Marine fish have gained increasing attention
because of rich sources of health beneficiary fatty acids (FA),
especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA). Both of these fatty acids are essential and cannot
be synthesized de novo, and thus are particularly important
for human health (Oksuz et al., 2011). Clinical and
epidemiological research suggest that EPA and DHA, found
only in fish and other seafood, are extremely beneficial in
the prevention of human coronary artery disease (Leaf and
Weber, 1998). Increasing the intake of unsaturated FAs, while
lowering the consumption of saturated fats cause lowering
of blood cholesterol in humans (Kinsella,1987). Of the
polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA), omega-3 (n-3) plays a role in
preventing heart disease and has anti-inflammatory and anti-
thrombotic effects (Conner, 2000). Intake of n-3 FA has been
shown to lower the atherogenicity plasma index (API), inhibit
the aggregation of plaque, diminish the levels of esterified
FA, cholesterol, and phospholipids, and reduce the size of
low-density lipoprotein particles. The nutritional value and
therapeutic effects of the wide range of health-beneficial FAs
found in fish have led to an increased commercial interest in
aquaculture of fish species, particularly for their high content
of omega FAs (Garaffo et al., 2011). The objective of this
study was to investigate fatty acid profiles, the atherogenicity
and thrombogenicity indices of the most commonly
consumed fishes in Sri Lanka. We also measured the ratio of
unsaturated to saturated fat and n-3/n-6 fatty acid as a
possible correlate of consumption of fish or fish oil and the
effect that consumption may have on the incidence of
coronary heart disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-three species of most commonly consumed
fishes in Sri Lanka were collected from the urban and local
markets of the Batticaloa district of Eastern Province located
at longitude 7.730N and latitude 81.670E, Sri Lanka. Muscle
tissue from each fish was homogenized using a grinder
(Sumeet, Japan). Approximate 3 g samples of homogenized
muscle from each fish were weighed in triplicate using an
analytical balance (AG204, Mettler, Toledo) and placed in
dried conical flasks. Muscle tissue samples were hydrolysed
by adding 8 mL of distilled water and 10 mL of concentrated
HCL and incubated at 95°C in a boiling bath for 45 minutes.
The samples were cooled and transferred to Mojonnier flasks.
Fat was serially extracted three times with 25mL volumes of
Petrolium ether:diethyl ether (1:1 v/v). The upper phase
containing the lipids was evaporated to dryness and weighed
for further analysis.
Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were prepared
from muscle samples from each species. Samples were
extracted with iso-octone/methanol (2:1 v/v) according to
Folch et al., (1957) . The FAs in the total lipid were esterified
into methyl esters by saponification with 0.5 N methanolic

2 INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
NaOH and trans-esterified with 14% BF3 (v/v) in methanol
(Paquo, 1998). The FAMEs were analysed in gas
chromatograph (GC) (Supelco SP -2330 model, Sigma-
Aldrich), equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID)
and fitted with a capillary column (30 m, 0.25 mm i.d. and
0.2 ìm). Injector and detector temperatures were 250°C and
260°C respectively. The oven program was as follows: 100°C
for 5 min, linear temperature gradient to 170°C over 10
minutes, then increased to 190°C over 4 minutes and then
held at 190°C for 44 min. Total run time was 45 min. The
flow rate of the N2 carrier gas was 1 ml min-1. GC analysis of
FAMEs was repeated three times for each sample. FAMEs
were identified by comparison of peak retention times to
those of standards (NU prep check- SD 461, USA). Samples
were run in split mode (15:1). Results were expressed as
FID response area as relative percentages. The results are
given as mean ± SD in Table 1.
The atherogenicity index (AI) and thrombogenicity
(TI) indices were calculated from the fatty acid profile, as
proposed by Ulbricht and Southgate, (1991), which relates
the profile of FAs with the risk of cardiovascular disorders,
using the following equations:
AI = [ C12:0 + (C14:0x4) + C16:0] /(Total unsaturated FAs)-1
Eq (1)
Where C12 = the percentage of lauric acid in relation to
total fatty acid (TFA); C14 = the percentage of myristic acid
in relation to TFA; and C16 = the percentage of palmitic
acid in relation to TFA (Table 3).
TI = (C14:0 + C16:0+C18:0)/[(0.5 x cis C18:1 + 0.5 x
MSFA + 0.5 x  (n-6) + 0.5 x (n-3) + (n-3/n-6)]
Eq (2)
Where: MFSA is monounsaturated fatty acid. Data were
analysed statistically using one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA), p <0.05, using SPSS 10.0
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
We identified nine saturated FAs (SFA), seven
monounsaturated FAs (MUFA) and eleven PUFAs in all 23
fishes (Table 1) and total lipids are presented in Table 2.
The lipid content of marine and fresh water fishes ranged
from1.03% to 20.56%. Amblygaster clupeiodies (20.56%)
and Gerres abbreviatus (12.78%) had the highest content of
lipid in muscle. Two marine fishes, namely Siganus lineatus
and Tricusurus savala had the highest amount of total SFA
(52.68 mg g-1 and 51.84 mg g-1, respectively). Within SFAs,
palmitic acid (C16:0) was the most abundance fatty acids
and the highest quantities of which were found in four fishes,
S. lineatus (27 mg g-1), Nibea sp. (26.55 mg g-1), Wallago
attu (26.34 mg g-1) and T. savala (25.64 mg g-1). Oleic acid
(cis C18:1n9) tended to be the most abundant MUFA, the
highest levels being found in two fresh water fishes, Clarius
sp. (34.94 mg g-1) and W attu (33.16 mg g-1), (Table3). The
essential fatty acid DHA (C22:6n3) was the most abundant
of 11 PUFAs; four fishes had the highest levels: D acuta
(34.73 mg g-1), T. savala (26.13 mg g-1), Sphyrenae
barracuda (24.08 mg g-1), and G abbreviatus (24.03 mg g-1).
Among PUFAs, docosadienoic acid (C22:2n6) and adrenic
acid (C22:4n6) were identified in 20 fishes. Total PUFAs
were significantly lower in fresh water fishes and higher in
marine fishes in this study N-3 fatty acid content was the
highest in planktivorous fish like A. clupeiodes (26.10 mg g-1),
followed by the carnivorous species, T. savala (25.04 mg g-1)
and G. abbreviatus (22.94 mg g-1) (Table 3).The n-3 / n-6
ratio was significantly higher in marine fishes (p < 0.05)
than in the brackish and fresh water fishes studied the n-3/n-
6 ratio is a better index in identifying nutritional value of
fish oils of different fishes than n-3 levels alone. AI and TI
indices were lower in marine fishes than brackish or fresh
water fishes (Fig 1a). Among all fish, G. abbreviatus, which
had the very lowest AI (0.01) and TI (0.81), had the highest
n-3/ n-6 ratio (Table 3), and thus, consumption of this fish
would be expected to be good for cardiovascular patients.
S. lineatus (AI=2.68, TI = 1.33) and Stoleophorus
commensoni (AI = 2.33, TI = 1.86) had significantly high
AI and TI values. Since S. lineatus is a herbivorous fish and
S. commensoni is a planktivorous fish, the total SFA content
in these fish most influenced their AI and TI values. EPA
and DHA level showed significantly higher in marine fishes
than brackish and fresh water fishes (Fig1b).
The PUFAs were found at high levels in marine
fishes whereas the MUFA found high in fresh and brackish
water fishes . SFA was high in marine fishes. These results
were consistent with those obtained by other researchers
(Vlieg & Body, 1988). Pigott and Tucker, (1990) suggested
that the n-3/n-6 ratio is a useful indicator for comparing
relative nutritional value of fish of different fishes. S. lineatus
and A. clupeiodies had high n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratios. It was
suggested that ratios of 1:1–1:5 would be in range for a
healthy human diet (Osman et al., 2001). All fresh water
and marine water fish species studied had n-3/n-6 fatty acid
ratios within these recommended values. However, marine
fishes had greater n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratios in this study as
reported by Hossain, (2011). The ratio of unsaturated FAs
(UFA) to SFA ranged from 0.45 to 1.25 in this study. Marine
species generally had a ratio greater than one. The essential
FAs EPA and DHA were found in all marine fishes and ranged
from 23.34 mg g-1 to 10.7 mg g-1. Marine water fish species
contained high levels of n-3. Similar results obtained by
Rasoarahona et al., (2005), fresh water and brackish water
fishes had higher n-6 levels and these results agreed with
the result obtained by Abouel–Yazeed, (2013). Differences
in FAs of marine and fresh water fishes should be considered
not only with respect to species habitat, but also based on
the natural diet, especially whether a species is herbivorous,
omnivorous, planktivorous, or carnivorous (Sargent,1997).
Fishes are often classified based on their fat content,
according to Bennion, (1980). Based on that classification,

Vol. Issue , ()
Marine Water
Planktivorous     Carnivorous Herbivorous
SFA Systematic Amblygaster Dussumieria Tenualosa Leionathus Stolephorus Stolephorus Lethrinus Spyranea Tricusurus Liza Siganus
Fatty acid Name clupeiodies acuta toil leuciscus commersoni indicus obsoletus barracuda savala melinoptera lineatus
C12:0 Dodecanoic 0.36±0.02 0.22±0.01 0.12±0.01 0.28±0.01 0.23±0.01 0.14±0.01 0.12±0.00 0.10±0.00 0.00±0.00 0.02±0.00 1.55±0.02
C14:0 Myrsitic 6.67±0.04 3.76±0.06 3.77±0.06 4.60±0.08 4.26±0.10 0.93±0.04 2.75±0.03 6.55±0.05 5.34±0.19 2.98±0.10 5.02±0.06
C15:0 Pentadecanoic 6.67±0.04 3.76±0.06 3.77±0.06 4.60±0.08 4.26±0.10 0.93±0.04 2.75±0.03 6.55±0.05 5.34±0.19 2.98±0.10 5.02±0.06
C16:0 Palmitic 15.05±0.21 23.29±0.15 22.24±0.20 23.15±0.40 24.51±0.55 19.47±0.75 24.15±0.20 22.82±0.05 25.64±0.30 17.93±0.55 27.00±0.26
C17:0 Heptadecanoic 1.08±0.03 1.74±0.04 0.80±0.01 2.30±0.04 0.18±0.01 1.38±0.05 1.24±0.01 1.43±0.01 1.81±0.04 1.23±0.02 1.27±0.02
C18:0 Stearic 0.13±0.02 9.66±0.08 2.92±0.03 9.11±0.39 7.82±0.17 10.53±0.58 10.05±0.03 5.76±0.08 8.92±0.01 5.75±0.14 6.14±0.01
C20:0 Arachidic 0.31±0.04 0.79±0.01 0.44±0.00 0.55±0.15 0.49±0.01 1.34±1.78 1.21±0.01 0.54±0.01 0.49±0.00 0.61±0.08 0.47±0.01
C22:0 Behenic 0.14±0.01 0.31±0.01 4.58±0.12 1.79±0.04 0.97±0.01 0.06±0.02 5.34±0.01 2.78±0.04 2.75±0.05 6.97±0.21 1.95±0.11
C24:0 Lignoceric 0.31±0.06 0.91±0.05 0.72±0.13 0.60±0.06 0.44±0.01 1.28±0.19 2.05±0.03 1.47±0.32 1.50±0.67 1.40±0.20 4.26±0.17
C14:1 Myrsitoleic 1.31±0.03 0.29±0.01 0.60±0.01 0.23±0.01 0.15±0.00 0.59±0.01 0.47±0.00 0.13±0.00 0.15±0.01 0.40±0.06 1.30±0.02
C16:1 Palmitoleic 6.03±0.02 3.66±0.03 6.85±0.040 4.97±2.33 2.42±0.06 2.63±0.08 4.82±0.04 7.09±0.01 5.78±0.05 6.67±0.19 4.34±2.50
C17:1 Heptadecenoic 5.26±0.02 0.09±0.09 2.62±0.01 1.21±0.04 1.18±0.04 0.58±0.06 0.89±0.00 1.20±0.00 0.89±0.06 1.55±0.03 0.45±0.03
C18:1 Oleic 6.17±0.18 5.54±0.04 8.44±0.02 8.36±1.53 7.58±0.16 10.48±0.21 15.19±0.03 14.35±0.03 10.40±0.07 11.07±0.30 9.40±0.03
C20:1 Eicosenoic 0.40±0.04 0.42±0.04 0.43±0.02 0.29±0.06 0.17±0.00 0.04±0.02 0.02±0.00 0.20±0.01 0.51±0.01 0.80±0.03 0.39±0.07
C22:1 Erucic 0.17±0.08 0.02±0.00 0.05±0.04 0.33±0.01 0.08±0.03 0.10±0.06 0.01±0.01 0.43±0.01 0.02±0.00 0.20±0.02 0.37±0.53
C24:1 Nervonic 0.86±0.11 2.42±0.07 1.61±0.06 1.12±0.07 4.55±0.06 1.67±0.11 2.37±0.06 0.24±0.41 0.92±0.40 2.20±0.07 0.84±0.03
C18:3n6 -Linolenic 0.18±0.03 0.28±0.10 1.33±0.14 0.11±0.05 0.20±0.03 0.36±0.02 0.46±0.00 0.18±0.01 0.13±0.01 0.26±0.02 0.19±0.02
C18:3n3 -Linolenic 0.23±0.06 0.34±0.09 1.29±0.11 1.14±0.27 0.194±0.03 0.11±0.14 0.16±0.00 0.48±0.01 0.13±0.01 2.46±0.11 0.74±0.01
C20:3n6 Homo- -Linolenic 0.08±0.05 2.70±0.01 0.36±0.00 0.48±0.01 0.07±0.02 2.76±0.06 0.21±0.00 0.18±0.01 0.15±0.00 0.30±0.04 0.39±0.07
C20:3n3 Eicosatrienoic 1.78±0.08 0.02±0.00 0.35±0.02 0.12±0.00 0.09±0.01 0.026±0.02 0.33±0.01 0.06±0.03 0.33±0.01 0.04±0.01 0.38±0.03
C20:2n6 Eicosadienoic 0.13±0.06 0.24±0.00 1.36±0.06 0.25±0.02 2.51±0.09 0.10±0.12 0.25±0.01 0.13±0.03 0.17±0.00 1.09±0.03 0.14±0.04
C20:4n6 Arachidonic 0.10±0.08 5.40±0.08 0.07±0.02 0.06±0.00 ND 0.05±0.05 0.25±0.01 0.05±0.03 ND 0.17±0.01 0.07±0.01
C22:2n6 Docosadienoic 0.17±0.09 ND 0.13±0.01 0.07±0.02 0.04±0.01 0.18±0.18 0.07±0.01 0.03±0.00 0.06±0.01 0.22±0.01 0.16±0.04
C20:5n3 EPA 4.77±0.04 0.60±0.02 5.02±0.01 3.27±0.08 1.59±0.05 0.60±0.26 3.71±0.12 6.79±0.04 5.38±0.08 0.31±0.01 0.34±0.09
C22:5n3 DPA 0.91±0.02 0.94±0.01 1.18±0.06 2.13±0.28 1.21±0.04 1.30±0.09 2.47±0.03 2.43±0.01 1.24±0.06 2.59±0.09 1.09±0.10
C22:6n3 DHA 5.41±0.07 24.20±0.14 5.68±0.03 11.52±0.20 3.36±0.11 4.11±0.18 14.93±0.24 13.06±0.07 17.96±0.54 6.13±0.20 3.13±0.15
C22:4n6 Adrenic 0.59±0.02 0.01±0.00 0.40±0.17 0.74±0.31 0.57±0.03 0.62±0.17 0.38±0.03 0.69±0.00 0.58±0.03 3.33±0.06 0.15±0.06
Table 1: Fatty acid composition (mg g-1) of muscle of most consuming marine brackish and fresh water fishes collected from east coast of Sri Lanka.
ND- Not detected, Data represented as mean of triplicates sample ±SD. SFA- Saturated fatty acid, MUFA- Monounsaturated fatty acid, PUFA – Polyunsaturated fatty acid

4 INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
Brackish/Marine water Fresh water Brackish/ Fresh water
Omnivorous Herbivorous  Carnivorous Omnivorous

Fatty Gerres Johnuius Siganus Labio Glossogobius Channa Channa Wallago Clarius Orechocromis Etroplus Trachsurus
acids abbreviatus Macroryns lineatus rohita giuris punctata striata attu brachyseriya niloticus maculatus nenga
C12:0 Dodecanoic 0.14±0.01 0.08±0.00 0.05±0.00 0.13±0.01 0.09±0.01 0.14±0.01 0.12±0.01 0.12±0.00 0.10±0.00 0.28±0.00 0.19±0.00 0.14±0.02
C14:0 Myrsitic 1.96±0.03 2.19±0.02 3.68±0.03 3.48±0.03 1.27±0.17 0.93±0.04 2.89±0.06 2.26±0.02 2.06±0.04 1.48±0.02 5.19±0.16 1.69±0.14
C15:0 Pentadecanoic 1.96±0.03 2.19±0.02 3.68±0.03 3.48±0.03 1.27±0.17 0.93±0.04 2.89±0.06 2.26±0.02 2.06±0.04 1.48±0.02 5.19±0.16 1.69±0.14
C16:0 Palmitic 17.45±0.15 26.55±0.19 21.33±0.27 21.76±0.16 17.39±2.07 19.47±0.75 22.34±0.22 23.60±0.15 26.34±0.19 23.69±0.16 19.76±0.71 5.49±1.09
C17:0 Heptadecanoic 0.39±0.01 0.74±0.01 1.38±0.03 1.84±0.01 0.44±0.04 1.38±0.05 0.35±0.01 2.04±0.01 0.49±0.00 2.01±0.01 0.59±0.01 1.37±0.11
C18:0 Stearic 8.74±0.03 7.42±0.03 9.37±0.15 7.79±0.05 8.30±1.03 10.53±0.58 8.10±0.07 5.89±0.04 8.20±0.04 6.73±0.04 3.33±0.06 3.44±0.26
C20:0 Arachidic 0.34±0.01 0.44±0.02 0.45±0.02 1.29±0.07 1.66±0.13 1.34±1.78 3.86±0.07 1.25±0.03 2.72±0.00 0.90±0.03 0.71±0.06 3.38±0.36
C22:0 Behenic 7.04±0.02 2.76±0.09 0.26±0.02 4.87±0.06 5.65±0.64 0.06±0.02 3.70±0.03 3.08±0.05 3.02±0.19 3.28±0.02 2.55±0.39 1.59±1.06
C24:0 Lignoceric 1.26±0.09 0.81±0.02 2.30±0.02 0.82±0.01 1.85±0.10 1.28±0.19 1.02±0.03 0.85±0.11 0.55±0.03 0.86±0.05 0.71±0.10 0.20±0.14
C14:1 Myrsitoleic 0.12±0.01 0.33±0.00 0.24±0.00 3.17±0.03 0.26±0.03 0.59±0.01 0.33±0.01 0.46±0.00 0.66±0.01 1.02±0.01 0.50±0.01 0.12±0.03
C16:1 Palmitoleic 3.65±0.02 10.03±0.07 4.8273±0.07 6.74±0.05 4.95±0.54 2.63±0.08 11.52±0.11 7.76±0.00 8.02±0.03 10.46±0.06 12.91±0.45 0.67±0.39
C17:1 Heptadecenoic 1.25±0.03 2.04±0.01 0.90±0.02 0.89±0.16 1.33±0.04 0.58±0.06 1.34±0.05 1.28±0.74 1.60±0.00 1.07±0.02 1.48±0.03 0.42±0.29
C18:1 Oleic 9.14±0.01 11.46±0.06 9.15±0.12 10.31±0.01 10.67±2.48 10.48±0.21 10.94±0.13 21.74±0.21 21.60±0.05 21.24±0.14 11.99±0.34 3.68±0.36
C20:1 Eicosenoic 0.24±0.03 0.32±0.01 0.24±0.00 0.29±0.00 0.21±0.07 0.04±0.02 1.06±0.01 0.30±0.06 0.09±0.01 0.05±0.01 0.55±0.04 ND
C22:1 Erucic 0.17±0.01 0.40±0.01 0.021±0.00 0.01±0.00 0.35±0.02 0.10±0.06 0.01±0.01 0.04±0.07 0.01±0.00 0.01±0.01 0.16±0.03 ND
C24:1 Nervonic 1.77±0.08 1.70±0.05 0.79±0.94 1.73±0.03 1.90±0.11 1.67±0.11 1.30±0.03 1.54±0.06 1.18±0.05 1.09±0.03 0.79±0.07 0.38±0.43
C18:3n6 -Linolenic 0.15±0.01 0.16±0.02 0.23±0.02 0.43±0.05 1.25±0.07 0.36±0.02 0.56±0.01 3.89±0.03 0.25±0.01 1.07±0.02 0.26±0.16 0.15±0.04
C18:3n3 -Linolenic 0.27±0.01 1.25±0.10 3.58±0.04 0.32±0.13 0.33±0.02 0.11±0.14 0.05±0.00 0.57±0.03 0.78±0.01 0.25±0.03 2.61±0.15 ND
C20:3n6 Homo- -Linolenic 0.28±0.05 0.24±0.02 0.60±0.02 0.39±0.36 0.45±0.04 2.76±0.06 0.22±0.01 0.61±0.02 0.71±0.01 0.21±0.01 0.65±0.26 1.01±1.11
C20:3n3 Eicosatrienoic 0.03±0.01 0.09±0.02 0.09±0.01 0.34±0.05 0.04±0.01 0.026±0.02 0.53±0.01 1.06±0.04 0.74±0.02 0.10±0.14 0.07±0.02 ND
C20:2n6 Eicosadienoic 0.36±0.05 0.37±0.02 0.78±0.03 0.12±0.01 0.26±0.01 0.10±0.12 0.05±0.02 0.08±0.03 0.30±0.00 0.92±0.03 0.43±0.01 ND
C20:4n6 Arachidonic 0.07±0.01 0.05±0.00 4.73±0.17 0.08±0.04 0.03±0.01 0.05±0.05 0.047±0.01 0.08±0.05 0.03±0.00 0.21±0.09 0.62±0.02 0.19±0.11
C22:2n6 Docosadienoic 0.15±0.03 0.08±0.05 1.59±0.10 0.09±0.01 0.02±0.00 0.18±0.18 0.13±0.02 0.01±0.02 0.03±0.02 0.02±0.01 ND ND
C20:5n3 EPA 6.40±0.06 3.23±0.04 0.57±0.11 5.15±0.02 0.92±0.12 0.60±0.26 1.22±0.04 3.16±0.14 1.31±0.01 1.38±0.01 2.10±0.06 2.44±0.81
C22:5n3 DPA 2.48±0.05 1.85±0.02 3.45±0.03 1.67±0.05 2.99±0.34 1.30±0.09 2.20±0.04 1.64±0.04 1.21±0.00 1.08±0.05 3.16±0.12 3.44±4.22
C22:6n3 DHA 13.76±0.07 10.52±0.13 5.81±0.14 7.35±0.07 9.62±1.10 4.11±0.18 5.48±0.13 7.09±0.07 4.75±0.06 4.39±0.02 3.48±0.10 10.28±4.46
C22:4n6 Adrenic 0.22±0.01 0.33±0.04 0.41±0.13 0.54±0.16 0.37±0.04 0.62±0.17 0.48±0.01 0.63±0.23 0.30±0.08 0.18±0.06 0.38±0.02 ND
Table 2: Fatty acids composition (mg g-1) of muscle of most consuming marine brackish and fresh water fishes collected from east coast of Sri Lanka.
ND- Not detected, Data represented as mean of triplicates sample ±SD. SFA- Saturated fatty acid, MUFA- Monounsaturated fatty acid, PUFA – Polyunsaturated fatty acid

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Table 3: The total lipid (%) saturated (mg g-1), monounsaturated (mg g-1), polyunsaturated fatty acids (mg g-1), n-3/n-6 ratio, USAT/SAT and total EPA & DHA and therogenicity
index, and thrombogenicity indices of fishes
Name of Fish Total lipid(%) SFAMUFAPUFA n-3/n-6 USAT/SAT EPA+DHA A1 TI
Liza melinoptera Herbivorous 1.03 39.87 22.89 16.68 2.15 0.99 6.44 0.95 1.13
Labeo rohita Herbivorous 5.82 41.35 33.12 18.81 2.55 1.26 10.25 0.68 0.96
Lethrinus obsoletus Carnivorous 1.28 49.66 23.77 23.15 13.33 0.94 18.64 0.78 0.83
Tenualosa toil Planktivorous 7.40 39.36 20.60 17.04 3.70 0.96 10.70 1.29 1.14
Etroplus maculatus Omnivorous 2.30 42.50 16.17 20.25 1.62 0.86 6.38 1.26 1.42*
Dussumieria acuta Planktivorous 1.68 44.44 12.44 34.73 3.02 1.06 24.80 0.89 1.13
Orechocromis niloticus Omnivorous 4.79 38.22 28.38 13.76 4.88 1.10 5.58 1.20 1.08
Trachsurus sp. Omnivorous 4.67 18.99 5.27 17.51 11.97 1.20 12.72 1.30 1.10
Leionathus leuciscus Planktivorous 0.74 46.98 16.51 19.82 10.63 0.77 14.79 1.38 1.08
Amblygaster clupeiodies Planktivorous 20.56# 30.72 20.20 14.18 10.48 1.12 10.18 1.88** 0.90
Siganus lineatus Herbivorous 0.60 52.68 17.09 6.62 5.16 0.45 3.47 2.68** 1.33
Gerres abbreviatus Omnivorous 12.78# 39.28 16.34 24.02 20.95 1.03 20.16^ 0.01 0.81
Channa striata Omnivorous 2.01 45.27 26.50 10.84 6.38 0.82 6.70 1.10 1.20
Wallago attu Carnivorous 3.31 45.54 33.16 10.38 5.43 0.96 6.06 0.89 1.13
Glossogobius giuris Omnivorous 1.56 36.06 16.09 10.04 1.51 0.72 4.71 1.44 2.08*
Channa punctata Omnivorous 3.63 37.92 19.67 16.26 5.84 0.95 10.54 0.85 1.23
Spyranea barracuda Carnivorous 2.36 48.00 23.64 24.05 18.11 0.99 19.85 1.08 0.69
Tricusurus savala Carnivorous 4.54 51.84 18.67 26.07 22.97 0.86 23.34^ 1.09 0.72
Johnuius macrorynus Omnivorous 0.80 43.18 26.28 18.09 13.77 1.03 13.75 0.91 0.98
Stoleophorus commensoni Planktivorous 3.78 43.16 16.13 9.79 1.89 0.60 4.95 2.33** 1.86*
Catla catla Herbivorous 0.09 45.46 23.14 16.39 9.27 0.87 12.50 1.07 1.03
Clarius brachyseriya Carnivorous 2.74 40.71 34.94 9.79 2.76 1.10 5.77 0.78 1.19
Stoleophorus indicus Planktivorous 0.79 25.13 10.43 16.15 6.05 1.06 13.46 1.42 1.66*
AI- Atherogenic Index TI- Thrombogenic Index, PUFA- Polyunsaturated fatty acid, MUFA- Monounsaturated fatty acid, SFA Saturated fatty acid,
EPA- Eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA- Docosahexaenoic acid, UST-Unsaturated fatty acid-, SAT- Saturated fatty acid. ** high AI value, * high TI value.#-high lipid

6 INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
lean fish have lower than 5% fat by weight whereas fatty
fish have more than 10%. According to another classification
scheme described by Greenfield and Southgate (2003), lean
fish have <1% total lipid, medium fish have 1–5%, lipids
and fatty fish contain more than 5% of lipid. In this study,
marine fishes tended to be fatty, with a lipid content of
20.56%, such as herring species. Brackish water and fresh
water fish tended to have medium and low lipid content,
respectively.
In conclusion, this study examined the fatty acid
compositions of the fish species most commonly consumed
on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. We found that marine fish
were better sources of n-3 FAs, particularly the essential FAs,
EPA and DHA, whereas fresh and brackish water fishes were
better sources of n-6 FAs. With respect to diet, herbivorous
and planktivorous fishes had high levels of n-3 FAs, including
EPA and DHA, than their carnivorous counterparts. AI and
TI shows high in herbivorous, planktivorous and omnivorous
species. Carnivorous species have low AI and TI. These data
should be useful to consumers and nutritionists wishing in
increase intake of n-3 and n-6 FAs, which have been shown
to be associated with ‘heart-healthy’ diets. Understanding
the relative lipid profiles of various species of fish will be of
use in the application of technological processes for fish
preservation, nutritional processing, and value-added
development of fish products.
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Fig 1: Variation of AI and TI (a) and total EPA and DHA (b) in marine, brackish and fresh water fish groups. Data represented as mean±SD.