Puspita Das

DHA and EPA Content and Fatty Acid Profile of 39 Food Fishes from India

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the principal constituent of a variety of cells especially the brain neurons and retinal cells and plays important role in fetal brain development, development of motor skills, and visual acuity in infants, lipid metabolism, and cognitive support and along with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) it plays important role in preventing atherosclerosis, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimers disease, and so forth. Being an essential nutrient, it is to be obtained through diet and therefore searching for affordable sources of these ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is important for consumer guidance and dietary counseling. Fish is an important source of PUFA and has unique advantage that there are many food fish species available and consumers have a wide choice owing to availability and affordability. The Indian subcontinent harbors a rich fish biodiversity which markedly varies in their nutrient composition. Here we report the DHA and EPA content and fatty acid profile of 39 important food fishes (including finfishes, shellfishes, and edible molluscs from both marine water and freshwater) from India. The study showed that fishes Tenualosa ilisha, Sardinella longiceps, Nemipterus japonicus, and Anabas testudineus are rich sources of DHA and EPA. Promotion of these species as DHA rich species would enhance their utility in public health nutrition.

Micronutrient Composition of 35 Food Fishes from India and Their Significance in Human Nutrition

The micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are required in small amounts but are essential for health, development, and growth. Micronutrient deficiencies, which affect over two billion people around the globe, are the leading cause of many ailments including mental retardation, preventable blindness, and death during childbirth. Fish is an important dietary source of micronutrients and plays important role in human nutrition. In the present investigation, micronutrient composition of 35 food fishes (includes both finfishes and shellfishes) was investigated from varying aquatic habitats. Macrominerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se) were determined by either atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)/atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Phosphorus content was determined either spectrophotometrically or by ICP-AES. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analysis showed that, in general, the marine fishes were rich in sodium and potassium; small indigenous fishes (SIFs) in calcium, iron, and manganese; coldwater fishes in selenium; and the brackishwater fishes in phosphorous. The marine fishes Sardinella longiceps and Epinephelus spp. and the SIFs were rich in all fat-soluble vitamins. All these recommendations were made according to the potential contribution (daily value %) of the species to the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Information on the micronutrients generated would enhance the utility of fish in both community and clinical nutrition.

Proximate and mineral composition of some selected coldwater fishes of upland Himalaya

Purpose – The present study aims to determine the proximate and mineral composition of important coldwater food fishes in the North Eastern Indian upland region to assess their nutritional quality. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is of original work and the analyses were performed using AOAC (1990). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and determined by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test using SPSS (Version 19). Findings – Crude protein levels ranged from 16-20 per cent, crude fat (CF) 9.60-1.54 per cent and ash 3.5-0.99 per cent. Moisture content was in the range of 71-78 per cent. The lowest moisture content was observed in Semiplotus semiplotus and highest in Labeo dero. Sodium, potassium and calcium content ranged from 92-309, 692-1435, 467-2021 mg/100g, respectively. Maximum concentration of potassium was found in Labeo dero followed by Labeo pangusia. Selenium was most abundant in L. dero, Labeo dyocheilus, Sanguina sanguine, Barilius bendelisis, Garra mullya, L. pangusia and...

Fatty acid, amino acid and mineral composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) of Indian Himalaya

The present study was conducted to determine fatty acid profile, amino acid and mineral content of rainbow trout from Indian Himalayan region. The crude protein, crude fat and ash content were 19.44, 5.18 and 1.37% respectively. Protein had a well-balanced amino acid composition, with higher amounts of proline. The highest amino acid score was observed for tryptophan followed by isoleucine. Total monounsaturated fatty acids were high followed by saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oleic acid was dominant, followed by palmitic acid and linoleic acid. Among the n-3 PUFAs, DHA was the most dominant followed by linolenic acid. The ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFA was 0.77. Among the minerals, K was high followed by Ca, Na, Fe, Zn, Se and Mn. From the present study, it can be concluded that rainbow trout has a rich amount of quality protein with well-balanced essential amino acids, PUFAs and minerals.

Gonadal Development Stages of Wild Male Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora from Nainital Region of Uttarakhand, India

Golden mahseer, Tor putitora is an endangered fish of mid-Himalayan regions of India. It has good potential as aquaculture species for hill aquaculture, due to its high market demand. But the major constrains on introduction of this fish for aquaculture is its inability to breed in captivity and slow growth rate. Therefore, studies were carried out on its breeding biology to captive breed this fish for sustainable seed production. However, detailed study on reproductive pattern of adult golden mahseer is very limited. Therefore, in the present study, we have developed a macroscopic grading system for golden mahseer testes, which shows the testes development stages during the breeding season, which lasts from May-September in Bhimtal and Sattal lakes. The golden mahseer were sampled from February - September 2014, from Bhimtal and Sattal lakes. Altogether, 48 samples were collected during the sampling period. Based on macroscopic observation, the maturation stage of the testes was divided into five developmental stages: Immature (I), early spermatogenic (II), late spermatogenic (III), matured (IV) and spent (V).