The seasonal fatty acids composition in different tissues of farmed common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Abstract

The seasonal fatty acid composition in viscera, muscle, bones, and skin of farmed common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was determined in spring (March), summer (June), autumn (September), and winter (December) (% of total fatty acids). Palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) were the most abundant saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), respectively. Linoleic acid (C18:2n-6), arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) were the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). All tissues had a lower percentage of MUFA but higher PUFA in the summer compared to the other seasons. The results of principle components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) suggested that fatty acid composition of common carp in summer could be distinguished from other seasons, but source of the oil in the tissue could not be determined.