Abstract:

In this study, the seasonal changes on lipid content and fatty acid levels of Nemipterus randalli from the Mersin Bay have been determined. Total lipid levels were found as 3.17%, 2.12%, 0.63%, and 0.72% in spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons, respectively. The fatty acid composition of this species is composed of 30 fatty acids. Major fatty acids are palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) from saturated fatty acids (SFAs) oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and 11-docosenoic acid (ceteloic; C22:1n11) from monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20: 5n3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22: 6n3) from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The highest level of palmitic acid was detected in the winter season, and the palmitic acid level varied between 15.41% and 20.72% (77.79-433.30 mg/100g). The highest level of stearic acid was determined in the spring season, and its levels varied between 14.75% and 19.14%, and its levels were also determined as 77.95-483.91 mg/100g. Oleic acid from the monounsaturated fatty acids varied between 5.46% and 7.98%, and its levels were found to be 31.98-224.38 mg/100g. Ceteloic acid varied between 5.73% and 7.80%, and its levels were determined to be 33.01-161.11 mg/100g. The EPA levels from the polyunsaturated fatty acids ranged from 4.34 to 5.34%, and its levels were found to be 19.30-137.50 mg/100g. The highest levels of DHA were detected in autumn, its levels varied between 21.09% and 23.00%, and its levels have also been detected as 102.30-604.25 mg/100g. The highest levels of Σn3, Σn6 and Σn9 were found in the spring season. The levels of Σn3, Σn6 and Σn9 varied between 26.73-27.19% (122.89-751.59 mg/100g), 4.19-4.79% (18.63-134.68 mg/100g) and 5.95-9.79% (35.22-247.15 mg/100g), respectively. AI and TI values in N. randalli were found at 0.28-0.36% and 0.33-0.36%, respectively.

Keywords: