Fat contents and fatty acid profiles of Indian Scad

Indian Scad (Decapterus russelli, Sinhala:Linna) is one of the less expensive fish varieties in the Sri Lankan market. Total fat contents in white muscle, red muscle and skin; and fatty acid composition in white muscle of the Indian Scad were evaluated. The total fat content was relatively high in the skin (3.64%) and red muscle (3.17%) while the white muscle contained low amount (0.65%). Fatty acid profiles of white muscle showed 32.66% saturated fatty acid (SFA), 16.07% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 39.38% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Among SFA, those occurring in the highest proportions were palmitic acid (C16:0, 18.36%) and stearic acid (C18:0. 12.21%). Oleic acid (C18:1 n-9, 10.61%) and palmotoleic acid (C16:1 n-7, 3.91%) were the main MUFAs.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3, 8.83%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3, 19.76%) were the main PUFAs. The PUFA/SFA ratio was 1.21 and n-6/n-3 ratio was 0.13. Sum of EPA+DHA was 28.59%. Therefore it can be concluded that although the fat content is low the nutritional value of the fat contained in the white muscle of Indian Scad is high.

Vidyodaya Journal of Science Vol.16 2011