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

Abstract

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.