Muscle Fatty Acid Content in Selected Freshwater Fish from Bukit Merah Reservoir, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

One of the oldest reservoirs in Peninsular Malaysia, Bukit Merah Reservoir, is a place in which locals participate in fishing activities. Inland fisheries are important to individuals, society and the environment; whereby they generate a source of income and food security. It is essential to gauge the nutrition value of fish caught in this location as food source, especially in terms of fatty acid composition, to better demonstrate its potential towards the betterment of human health and general well-being. From an initial list of 47 fish species available in Bukit Merah Reservoir, a total of seven edible freshwater fish species were identified, namely tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii), Javanese barb (Barbonymus gonionotus), hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota), beardless barb (Cyclocheilichthys apogon), glassfish (Oxygaster anomalura), striped snakehead (Channa striata) and horseface loach (Acantopsis dialuzona), and muscle fatty acid content was analysed to determine their nutritional value. Muscle of cyprinid fish contained substantial amount of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) compared to fish from Channidae and Cobitidae families. Javanese and tinfoil barbs muscle recorded the highest levels of combined eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) indicating the highest nutritional value comparatively. Unexpectedly, the striped snakehead, a predatory carnivore, contained lower levels of LC-PUFA compared to detrivorous/herbivorous fishes. This further justifies that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in fish muscle varies according to their feeding habits. Even though it has been recommended that marine fish be consumed to improve health to a certain extent, there still are benefits of consuming freshwater fish, as there are several species which contain considerable amounts of beneficial omega-3 PUFA.

Complete repertoire of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis enzymes in a cyprinid, silver barb ( Barbonymus gonionotus ): Cloning, functional characterization and dietary regulation of Elovl2 and Elovl4

“…This recapitulates the observations in other cyprinids and freshwater species fed VO‐based diets (Janaranjani et al., 2018; Kamarudin et al., 2012; Ren, Yu, Xu, & Tang, 2012; Tian, Lei, & Ji, 2016). Specific to the benefits of the n‐3 LC‐PUFA, the levels of muscle EPA + DHA in fish fed diets LO or LOCO were higher than diet CO and is comparable to levels reported in silver barb population elsewhere (Chedoloh, Karrila, & Pakdeechanuan, 2011; Jaya‐Ram et al., 2018). The muscle n6/n3 ratio of fish fed LO‐based diets was significantly lower than diet CO and also within the acceptable range for human health (Strobel, Jahreis, & Kuhnt, 2012).…”

“…For this species, the marketable size of 300g is reached in 4–5 months. In comparison with other freshwater fish, B. gonionotus contain high levels of n‐3 LC‐PUFA (Jaya‐Ram et al., 2018). While several studies on the dietary requirements for major nutrients have been reported in silver barb, there is still a paucity of knowledge on the fatty acid nutrition (Mohanta, Mohanty, & Jena, 2007).…”

“…In terms of yield, freshwater species are the largest contributor to aquaculture finfish production, with several carp species having a prominent role. Although oily fish such as salmon, tuna and trout are rich in LC‐PUFA, several freshwater aquaculture species also have reasonably high deposition and therefore the capacity to meet the recommended intake of EPA + DHA (Jaya‐Ram, Fuad, Zakeyuddin, & Sah, 2018; Steffens, 1997; Strandberg, Bhavsar, & Arts, 2017). Consumption of freshwater fish has yielded traits such as increased plasma EPA and DHA levels and lower blood pressure in human population (Pauletto et al, 1996).…”

Dietary protein requirement level of tinfoil barb ( Barbonymus schwanenfeldii Bleeker 1853) fry

“…Increases in growth and FCR with increasing dietary protein are typically found in carnivore fish (Gao et al, 2005). Meanwhile, tinfoil barb is omnivorous and feeding on small fish, aquatic plants and invertebrates like insects in natural habitats (Jaya‐ram et al, 2018; Mansour et al, 2016). Poorer FCR and feed intake had been reported in tilapia fry fed with a lower protein diet (Abdel‐Tawwab et al, 2010).…”

“…Tinfoil barb ( Barbonymus schwanenfeldii ), from the family Cyprinidae, has long been an important species in the global multibillion dollar ornamental fish industry. Tinfoil barb is an omnivorous species which feeds on aquatic plants and occasionally feed on small fish and invertebrates like insects (Jaya‐ram et al, 2018). It was previously sidelined from the mainstream food fish but is now accepted as a common protein source (Jaffar et al, 2019).…”