Seasonal Variations of Lipid Content and Composition in Starfish Asterias amurensis Lütken

Abstract

The total lipid content, lipid classes and fatty acid composition in the internal organs of starfish (Asterias amurensis) were analyzed to determine the effects of seasons (winter and spring). The non-polar and polar lipid fractions obtained from starfish internal organs were analyzed through two seasons using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas liquid chromatography. Total lipid content of internal organs was 10.18% in spring and 8.21% in winter as wet weight basis. The predominant lipid class in spring was triglyceride whereas free fatty acids were the main lipid class in winter. The most abundant fatty acid of non-polar lipid fraction was eicosamonoenoic acid (C20:1) in spring having the highest proportion (29.2% of total fatty acid) as compared to the winter. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was also found significantly (P < 0.05) higher in spring compared to winter in the non-polar lipid fraction. On the other hand, comparatively lower amount of EPA was observed in spring than winter in the polar lipid fraction. Proportions of other fatty acids in non-polar and polar lipid fractions were also varied seasonally. This result might be useful for commercial production of lipid from internal organ of starfish with a view to potential use in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and other non-food industries.