Effects of feeding habits and nutrition status of freshwater fishes on muscle with lipid fatty acid composition and tocopherol contents

The objectives of the study was to determine the total lipid content, fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of muscle of eleven fresh water fishes belongs to Cichlidae, Anabantidae, Siluridae, Cyprinidae, Channidae families lived in reservoirs in Sri Lanka and to find high nutritious fresh water fish and the relationship of diet of fish with the feeding habits of fish. Muscle lipid contents were varied between 1.6 41.5% of the fishes that having omnivorous, carnivorous and herbivorous feeding habits. Walking catfish (Clarius brachysoma) having omnivorous feeding habit showed the highest total lipids (41.5%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (39.9%) and α-tocopherol (29.65mg/Kg) in the muscle. The ratio of total n-3 to n-6 fatty acids in walking catfish was 1 confirmed consumption of catfishes favourable for human health and has a particularly beneficial effect in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Tilapia (Tilapia mossambica), and Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) having omnivorous feeding habit showed 15.73 and 12.55% total lipids in the muscle and contained 5.6 and 2.5 mg/Kg α-tocopherol respectively. However, Tilapia (Tilapia niloticus) showed very low total lipid (1.69%) and tocopherol (0.08 mg/Kg). Fresh water shark (Wallago attu) having carnivorous feeding habit showed 11.29% total lipids, 4.02 mg/Kg α-tocopherol and 36% PUFA in muscle. Similarly, Rohu (Labeo rohita) having herbivorous feeding habit contained 10.84% lipids, 6.61mg/Kg α-tocopherol and approximately 90% unsaturated fatty acids. Results of the study revealed that the lipid content, fatty acid composition and tocopherol content in the muscle of the freshwater fishes in Sri Lanka was not significantly influenced by the feeding habits of the fishes and influenced the composition of diet of fish and no relationship with the families.