A comparison of fatty acid, cholesterol and vitamin composition in sea bass [Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758)] and sea bream [Sparus aurata (Linnaeus, 1758)] from three cage farm areas: Antalya and Muğla (Turkey) and İskele (Northern Cyprus)

Abstract

Summary In the present study the fatty acids, cholesterol and vitamin composition in farmed sea bass (8 fish per species per farm; weight range: 389.6–395.8 g, total length range: 297–316 mm) and sea bream (8 fish per species per farm; weight range: 386.8–391.7 g, total length range: 263–268 mm) from three cage farms (Iskele in northern Cyprus, Antalya and Mugla in Turkey) were compared during the harvesting period in June–July 2011. The results showed that the muscles of D. labrax and S. aurata farmed fish were rich in n-3 fatty acids, but with important differences. For example, the muscles of sea bass farmed in Iskele were rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Palmitic acid (C16:0) was the primary saturated fatty acid, and oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) the primary monounsaturated fatty acid in the muscle and liver samples of the cage-farmed sea bass and sea bream. There were no significant differences in the cholesterol content in the muscles of sea bream farmed in Iskele, Antalya or Mugla. In conclusion, the n-3/n-6 ratio in the muscle of farmed S. aurata and D. labrax is within the recommended limits for a healthy human diet, being very suitable for human nutrition.