LIPIDS AND FATTY ACIDS IN MULLET (Mugil cephalus): SEASONAL AND LOCATIONAL VARIATIONS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Total lipids and fatty acids of neutral lipid in boneless mullet fillets were studied. The mullet harvested between September and November had the highest lipid content. Samples were obtained from four locations on the Florida Coast. At these locations the highest total lipid contents were in the following order: Pine Island > Oakhill > Cedar Key > Port St. Joe. Mullet harvested at Pine Island had the highest ratio of odd chain fatty acids to total fatty acids in neutral lipid fraction, ranging from 18.4–25.8; the odd chain fatty acids of other locations were lower than 20%. Generally, the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of mullet is highest between August and October.