Abstract
ABSTRACT Lophiosilurus alexandri is a carnivorous freshwater fish endemic of São Francisco basin and an endangered species. In this study, we analysed the chemical composition (moisture, protein, ash and lipid), fatty acid profile, and nutritional quality (atherogenic index, thrombogenecity index, ratio between hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids and ω6/ω3 = ratio) of L. alexandri in lotic (river), lentic (hydroelectric dams) environments, under natural fed, and in laboratory controlled conditions fed with commercial diets. Cultured and lentic fish had significantly higher lipid levels (1.5 and 1.9- fold, respectively) than lotic fish. Lentic L. alexandri had significantly higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels (4×) than cultured or lotic L. alexandri. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were the highest in lentic fish, followed by lotic fish. Lentic fish had greater proportion of fatty acid ω6/ω3 than lotic or cultured fish. The results of this study showed that L. alexandri is a lean fish (1-2% of total lipids) and that the environment has a great influence on the fatty acid profile. These results may be a reference for further studies, primarily as a source of information for conservation L. alexandri through restocking and the development of commercial projects of aquaculture.
Highlights
The São Francisco River, which is one of the most important Brazilian water resources, is considered the River of National Integration, draining seven states along its 2,863 km (Santos et al, 2014)
The results of this study showed that L. alexandri is a lean fish (1–2% of total lipids) and that the environment has a great influence on the fatty acid profile
Pacamã were obtained from São Francisco River and tributaries (n=10), the dam of Três Marias (n=10), and the aquaculture laboratory (n=10), of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
Summary
The São Francisco River, which is one of the most important Brazilian water resources, is considered the River of National Integration, draining seven states along its 2,863 km (Santos et al, 2014). The basin of the São Francisco River, located in Minas Gerais State, has been subjected to intensive mining and land use for agricultural, urban, and industrial purposes with negative consequences on the chemical and physical integrity of drainage, due to sewage, domestic, and industrial pollution, mining residues, dams, and riparian forest elimination, among others (Langeani et al, 2009). Adding to the ongoing burdens of intensive agriculture, industrialization and urbanization, climate changes is an additional serious threat to freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity (Liu et al, 2015). The general effects of climate changes, altered hydrological regimes, and increased ground water temperature could affect the quality of fish (Roland et al, 2012)
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