PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, FATTY ACID PROFILE AND LIPID HEALTH INDICES OF AN IMPORTANT FRESHWATER FISH LABEO ROHITA OF LOKTAK LAKE, MANIPUR

Abstract

Proximate composition of the muscles of Labeo rohita was determined. The average moisture content of the fish was found to be 79.18±0.43% while that of protein, lipid and ash were 16.02±0.17%, 1.85±0.43% and 1.10±0.01% respectively. A total of 29 fatty acids were found to be present in the fish (7 Monounsaturated fatty acids, MUFA and 12 polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA). Among them, palmitic acid was found to be the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid. L. rohita contains reasonable amount of essential PUFA such as docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acids. The n6/n3 ratio (1.34) was found to be less than 3, which are believed to be healthy values. The indices of artherogenicity and thrombogenicity show favorable value for human health.