Investigation of muscle fatty acid composition of Carassius gibelio (Crucian carp) in Uluabat lake (Bursa) with respect to gonad maturation

In this study, the aim was to investigate muscle fatty acid composition of Crucian carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch, 1782) in Uluabat Lake with respect to gonadal maturation. Carassius gibelio which was at its sexual maturation, used in the experiment was caught from Uluabat Lake in Bursa at the months of November, December, February, April and May. The representative fish used in experiment were also in proper sizes for public consuming. Muscle lipid of Crucian carp was extracted with methanol and chloroform. Fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by gas chromatography method. In the muscle of Carassius gibelio, palmitic (C16:0) and stearic (C18:0) acids in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), oleic (C18:1n9) and nervonic (C24:1) acids in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), linoleic (C18:2n6), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22:6n3) acids in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were the most abondant fatty acids. Seasonal ranges of total SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs ratios of muscle were 24.67-30.84%; 15.89-30.76%; 27.64-44.49%, respectively. The amount of EPA+DHA acids in total fatty acids varied from 18.76% to 34.64%. In the months of winter, while the ratios of total SFAs and MUFAs gradually decreased, the ratios of PUFAs, especially n3 PUFAs increased. The results indicated that muscle fatty acid composition of Carassius gibelio was significantly influenced from gonad maturation and environmental condition, especially water temperature. The results also showed that nutritional values of Carassius gibelio were higher in the cold months of winter.