SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ESSAYS, cilt.5, sa.23, ss.3776-3780, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
The present study determined variations in total fatty acid composition of pike (Esox lucius) in Eber Lake throughout the year, using gas chromatograph (GC). The most predominant fatty acids (SFA) found in pike was palmitic acid (14.78 - 18.13%)(5.38 - 7.99%) and the dominant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were docosahexaenoic acids (DHA, 16.04 - 24.29%), linoleic acids (LA, 2.52 - 4.15%), eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA, 5.05 - 8.33%), and arachidonic acids (AA, 4.34 - 9.78%). The total PUFA content was higher than both total SFA and total MUFA throughout the year. While PUFA content was highest in June when lake water and nutrients are most abundant, SFA and MUFA contents were lowest. By months, the omega-3/omega-6 ratio was 3.65, 0.97, 2.73, 2.76 and 3.48 in November, February, April, June and August, respectively. Fatty acid composition in the muscular tissue of pike and omega-3/omega-6 ratio differed according to month and were particularly affected by spawning.