Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Composition of Cultured Beluga (Huso huso) of Different Ages

Abstract

The amino acids (AA) and fatty acids (FA) of Beluga (Huso huso) flesh at different ages were investigated as a source of AA and FA for human consumption. The analysis of Huso huso lipids (chloroform extracted) showed significant differences (p < .05) for specific FA with age. At all ages, the major saturated FA in Huso huso fillets was palmitic acid and the major unsaturated FA were oleic and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). Protein analysis indicated that the Huso huso muscle is well balanced with good levels of essential AA and appears to be a source of high quality protein (tryptophan was not measured) with methionine/cysteine as the first limiting AA. The major AA were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and lysine. The results obtained from the present study show that Huso huso is an excellent protein and fat source when compared with other sturgeons.