Effects of dietary lipids on the fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

The effects of different dietary lipids (hydrogenated coconut oil, corn oil, linseed oil, and mixtures of corn oil, linseed oil, menhaden oil, and/or soy lecithin) on the fatty acid composition of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis were investigated. Dietary lipid compositions were reflected in the fatty acid profiles of sea urchin guts, gonads and shells. The shells had the highest level of 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3, while the highest levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were seen in the guts. Tissue levels of 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3 were influenced by the dietary levels of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3. The addition of soy lecithin to the diet (CLnML) enhanced the production and incorporation of 20:4n-6 in shell and gonad. Sea urchin also synthesized and incorporated 20 and 22 carbon non-methylene-interrupted dienoic fatty acids (NMIDs) in all tissue lipids. The NMID content varied among the different tissues and was influenced by the dietary lipid source. The hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO) diet resulted in the greatest NMID content, while the lowest levels were seen in sea urchins fed diets containing a mixture of corn oil, linseed oil, menhaden oil and lecithin (CLnML). The NMID content was lowest in gut and highest in the shell. Significant levels of mead acid (20:3n-9) were detected in the shells of sea urchins fed the EFA-deficient diet (HCO). The enzymatic capabilities of sea urchins to desaturate and elongate 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6 and 18:3n-3 to 20:5n-3, as well as the capabilities to de novo synthesize NMID were hypothesized. Possible physiological roles and mechanisms for formation of NMID are discussed.