Effect of alive weight on body composition and fatty acid content of farmed beluga sturgeon (Huso huso)

Abstract

The correlation between alive weight of farmed beluga (Huso huso) (ranging from 1 to 89 kg) and body composition and fatty acid content was examined for the first time. In all weight groups, the content of protein, fat, moisture, and ash varied as follows: protein 11.2% to 18.63%, fat 1.40% to 6.0%, moisture 65.77% to 80.4%, and ash 0.54% to 1.4%. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were the most predominant fatty acids (43.11%) followed by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 28.02%) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs; 20.72%). The content of protein, SFAs (C16:0, C18:0, and C20:0), and PUFAs (C18:2 n-6, C18:3 n-3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and the n-3/n-6 ratio showed a significant correlation (P < 0.01) with body weight. The content of n-3 (ranging from 6.99% to 11.72%) and n-6 (ranging from 10.82% to 28.21%) fatty acids, EPA (ranging from 0.85% to 2.66%), and DHA (ranging from 3.18% to 7.58%) and the n-3/n-6 ratio (ranging from 0.24 to 1.04) increased significantly with increasing body weight of beluga (P < 0.01), while MUFA and the DHA/EPA ratio were not correlated with the body weight of the fish. The results of this study indicated that protein content and essential n-3 PUFA were influenced by body weight.