COMPARATIVE FATTY ACIDS COMPOSITIONS IN COPTODON ZILLII, HETEROBRANCHUS BIDORSALIS, CHRYSICHTHYS NIGRODIGITATUS AND CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FOUND IN OJO LAGOON, LAGOS

Abstract

This study evaluated the quality of fatty acids compositions in Coptodon zillii, Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, and Clarias gariepinus from Ojo Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. Specimens of C. gariepinus, H. bidorsalis and C. nigrodigitatus and C. zillii were procured from Ojo landing site, Ojo, Lagos, stored in an ice chest at 4ºC and conveyed to the Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical laboratory sections of the College of Medicine University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria, for analyses. The saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were determined using gas chromatography method. Results showed no significant difference (P> 0.05) in all species examined. The PUFA/SFA ratio were above the specified range of 0.4 by FAO, which make them healthier for consumption. From 0.4 in C. gariepinus, to 1.95 in C. nigrodigitatus, 2.04 in H. bidorsalis, and 6.59 in C. zillii. It also shows that these species are rich in PUFAs such as EPA, DHA and LA. Hence the species are safe and healthy for consumption, and can be incorporated into the diet by dietician as a food materials containing appreciable measures of healthy fats.