Les lipides des poissons d’aquaculture et leurs facteurs de variation

Fish represent a rich source of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly the eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA) for the human consumer. Although EPA and DHA are more abundant in membrane phospholipids than in triacylglycerols, the content in EPA and DHA generally increases with the lipid content of fish muscle. There are huge differences in muscle lipid content among fish species resulting in great difference in EPA and DHA content. The lipid content of fish flesh varies not only among species, but also within species among individuals depending on age, stage of sexual maturity and also location of fat depots in the muscle. Fish from farming can also be tailored through selective breeding, feeding and rearing practices. Muscle fatty acid profile generally reflects the fatty acid composition of the feed. As EPA and DHA are highly susceptible to attack by oxygen and other organic radicals and resultant damage to PUFA can have serious consequences with potential pathological effects on cells and tissues, an efficient physiological antioxidant protection of farmed fish should also be ensured (e.g., with dietary micronutrients).