The chemical composition, fatty acid and amino acid Profiles of the Muscle Tissue of Male and Female Liza aurata in the Caspian Sea, Iran

Abstract The present study aims at the identification and investigation of fatty acid and amino acid profiles in male and female Liza aurata in the southern part of the Caspian Sea, in reproductive (autumn) and non-reproductive (spring) seasons. The results showed difference between the total fatty acids levels in the sexes. Analyses of fatty acids indicated a higher percentage of C16:0, C18:1 and 22:6 (DHA) in the SFA, MUFA and PUFA groups, respectively. The results indicated the importance of PUFA during the spring. The ratios of n-3/n-6 and FLQ in female were more than male in the spring and the amount of AI and TI was lower than 1. Besides, the amount of amino acids was higher in the spring, depending on the fish diet. However, there was no significant difference between the male and female fish with regards to amino acids; therefore, sex had no bearing on the amino acid content. Furthermore, the ratios of TEAA/TNEAA for the fish in the spring and autumn were 1 and 0.99 respectively. The ratio of leucine/isoleucine in L. aurata showed a good balance, which indicated the excellent quality of protein in this species. This information of the fillet can be used as indicators of dietary lipid, essential fatty acid and amino acid requirements of L. aurata, which may contribute to the formulation of a balanced diet for the culture of this species and depending on the fish sex.