Effect of three conditioning diets on the fatty acid composition of gonads and muscle of Argopecten purpuratus

Abstract

Mature specimens of Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819), obtained from the Culture Center of Tongoy Bay, northern Chile were conditioned at 20°C and fed three different diets (mixture of pure microalgae, microalgae supplemented with a lipid emulsion, and microalgae supplemented with carbohydrates). Fatty acids were analysed at 0, 18, 38, 58, and 72 days of gonad conditioning. Both muscle and gonads showed a significant decrease in the relative distribution (weight % of total fatty acids) of saturated, monounsaturated, and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (mg/g dry weight). Generally, an increase of the n-3 polyunsaturated group was observed for gonads until Day 58, thereafter a decrease was observed, probably as a result of environmental stress. A similar trend was observed for eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were the most preserved fatty acids, suggesting their importance as essential fatty acids for gonad maturation. The lipid-supplemented diet afforded the best gonadal maturation and spawning occurred after 72 days. © 2002, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.