Age-size influences on tissue-lipid quality of the sturgeon Acipenser naccarii from intensive culture

Abstract

One approach into the lipid requirements and the quality evaluation of the sturgeon Acipenser naccarii is the study of the fatty acid composition of lipids in several tissues. Four different ages of this new target species for freshwater culture were sampled from a fish farm. Oleic and palmitic acids were the most abundant fatty acids in all age groups and tissues sampled. High quantities of 16:ln7, 20:ln9, 22:ln9, 20:5n3 and 22:6n3 were also detected. The overall pattern closely resembles that of other freshwater fish species. No important differences were found in muscle age. The high lipid level and the relatively high proportion of HUFAn3 fatty acids renders this species as a highly desirable food for human consumption.