Fatty Acid Profile of Indian Shad Tenualosa ilisha Oil and its Dietary Significance

• Published in: National Academy science letters 2012-08, Vol.35 (4), p.263-269
• Main Authors: Mohanty, Bimal P., Paria, Prasenjit, Mahanty, Arabinda, Behera, Bijay K., Mathew, Suseela, Sankar, T. V., Sharma, Anil P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: History of Science; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Research Article; Science; Science (multidisciplinary)
• ISSN: 0250-541X; 2250-1754
• DOI: 10.1007/s40009-012-0042-x

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) consumption is known to be associated with a number of health benefits and fish oils, especially marine, are rich in PUFAs. Tenualosa ilisha , a highly preferred food fish in South-Asian countries, is rich in oils; however, information on fatty acid profiles of different size-groups of hilsa is scanty. In the present investigation, information on fatty acid profiles of different size groups of hilsa has been generated. Analysis showed that medium-sized fish contained the highest amount of unsaturated fatty acids as well as ω-3 PUFAs, EPA plus DHA and the lowest amount of saturated fatty acids (SFAs). PUFA content was highest in small-sized hilsa; however, ω-3 PUFA content was lower and SFAs content was higher than medium-sized fish. In large-sized fish, although ω-3/ω-6 ratio was highest, quantitatively they contained the lowest amount of PUFAs and highest amount of SFAs. Thus, on basis of fatty acid profiles, medium-sized hilsa is the best followed by the small-sized fish for human health and nutrition.