Cholesterol, lipid content, and fatty acid composition of different tissues of farmed cobia (Rachycentron canadum) from China.

Marine fishes are rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are extremely important for human health. The objective of our work was to determine the content and composition of lipids and fatty acids in the different tissues of cobia from China and to evaluate their nutritional value. The results showed that cobia from China was rich in lipids; the neutral lipid content was above 82%; the content of cholesterol and phospholipid was low. Eighteen fatty acids were identified. Myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), and stearic acids (C18:0) were the main saturated acids; palmitoleic (C16:1n-7) and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) were the main monounsaturated fatty acids. EPA and DHA were the main PUFA; n-3 and n-6 PUFA were present as 12–18% and 2.6–3.2% of the total fatty acids, respectively. The n-6/n-3 ratio was in the range from 0.18 to 0.22, which was far lower than that (5:1) recommended by WHO/FAO. Therefore, cobia lipids from China have a high nutritional value.