Fatty Acid Composition of Fillets of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus Fed with Various Oil-Based Diets

This study evaluated effects of diets containing different vegetable oil resources on growth performances, body compositions and fatty acid profile of Clarias gariepinus. The oils were incorporated at 7% level of the diet. Fingerlings were randomly stocked at 20 fish per floating net-hapa (1m3) and fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. Fatty acid methyl esters and proximate compositions were determined. Growth performances revealed that fish fed palm oil-based diets yielded best. Fatty acids profile revealed that lauric, myristic and palmitic acids were the main saturated fatty acids while oleic acid was the main monounsaturated fatty acids. High levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (ARA) (20:4n-6) were observed in muscle lipid of fish fed with sunflower oil diet. The main contributor of saturated fatty acids was lauric with the highest amount (82.57%) reflected in fish fed coconut oil diet. The highest (P<0.05) monounsaturated fatty acids (73.55%) was in fish fed olive oil diet. Proximate analysis revealed catfish belongs to high-protein (15 20%) and high-oil (>5%) category. The ω-3/ω-6 ratios obtained in muscle fatty acids of catfish fed olive, sunflower and sesame-oil diets were within the recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA for normal human health.