Determination of Seasonal Changes on Lipid Content and Fatty Acids of Nemipterus randalli (Russell, 1986) from Mersin Bay

In this study, the seasonal changes on lipid content and fatty acid levels of Nemipterus randalli from the Mersin Bay have been determined. Total lipid levels were found as 3.17%, 2.12%, 0.63%, and 0.72% in spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons, respectively. The fatty acid composition of this species is composed of 30 fatty acids. Major fatty acids are palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) from saturated fatty acids (SFAs) oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and 11-docosenoic acid (ceteloic; C22:1n11) from monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20: 5n3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22: 6n3) from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The highest level of palmitic acid was detected in the winter season, and the palmitic acid level varied between 15.41% and 20.72% (77.79-433.30 mg/100g). The highest level of stearic acid was determined in the spring season, and its levels varied between 14.75% and 19.14%, and its levels were also determined as 77.95-483.91 mg/100g. Oleic acid from the monounsaturated fatty acids varied between 5.46% and 7.98%, and its levels were found to be 31.98-224.38 mg/100g. Ceteloic acid varied between 5.73% and 7.80%, and its levels were determined to be 33.01-161.11 mg/100g. The EPA levels from the polyunsaturated fatty acids ranged from 4.34 to 5.34%, and its levels were found to be 19.30-137.50 mg/100g. The highest levels of DHA were detected in autumn, its levels varied between 21.09% and 23.00%, and its levels have also been detected as 102.30-604.25 mg/100g. The highest levels of Σn3, Σn6 and Σn9 were found in the spring season. The levels of Σn3, Σn6 and Σn9 varied between 26.73-27.19% (122.89-751.59 mg/100g), 4.19-4.79% (18.63-134.68 mg/100g) and 5.95-9.79% (35.22-247.15 mg/100g), respectively. AI and TI values in N. randalli were found at 0.28-0.36% and 0.33-0.36%, respectively.