Fatty acids, fat and cholesterol in some lines of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Poland

Abstract

Studies were conducted on the percent content of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), total cholesterol (TCh) and total fat content of muscle tissue with skin in five lines of carp cultured in the Experimental Fisheries Station in Zator during three seasons of the production cycle in grow-out ponds, storage ponds and wintering ponds. Of the five carp lines studied, the Starzawski line was characterized by the highest contents of total fat and cholesterol and the lowest percentage of PUFA in comparison to the fish of the other lines. Carp of the Hungarian line displayed a high percentage of SFA, the highest percentage of PUFA in grow-out ponds and storage ponds as well as the lowest percentage of MUFA during three seasons of the production cycle. Of the remaining lines, none were found to possess at least one trait that repeated in all three studied periods, which, in turn, would allow them to be distinguished from the others. The results suggest that some individuals which display the same undesired traits (profile of fatty acids and cholesterol content) can be excluded from further breeding. In consideration of human nutrition, carp can be selected for their low cholesterol content and high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The accompanying studies of total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) in blood serum showed no correlation between these parameters and the cholesterol content of muscles.