The Nutritional Lipid Profiles of Marine Fish from Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the nutritional value of fish is very important because fish contains essential fatty acids. Fatty acids substances in fish are very important for brain growth and the immune system of the fetus and baby, are also useful as cardioprotective, antihypertensive, anti-thrombolytic, cognitive development, fat metabolism, and anti-inflammatory. AIM: The aim of this research is to determine the nutritional index of marine fish based on the fatty acid composition that is circulated in Medan City. METHODS: Fish samples were collected from traditional markets; those is Thunnus spp., Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Sardina pilchardus, Rastrelliger kanagurta, and Euthynnus affinis. While, fish oil was produced from extracted with n-hexane and characterization by determining the acid, saponification, iodine, and peroxide value, respectively. The analysis of fatty acid composition was carried out by gas chromatography method. RESULTS: The result of research shows, the proportion of fatty acids in marine fish samples was saturated fatty acid (SFA) >monounsaturated fatty acid >polyunsaturated fatty acid. From the nutritional index based on fatty acid composition, the best nutritional fish is Thunnus spp. based on the index value of atherogenic index (IA) and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic. CONCLUSION: As for the ratio of omega-6/omega-3, polyunsaturated/SFA (P/S), and thrombogenic index (IT), that is in the second rank category, so it can conclude that Thunnus sp. has the best nutritional index among the five types of marine fish.