LIPID AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF TWO SPECIES OF ABALONE,HALIOTIS DISCUS HANNAIINO ANDHALIOTIS DIVERSICOLORREEVE

ABSTRACT Analyses of lipid profile and fatty acid compositions of muscle and viscera of two commercially cultured abalone, namely Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis diversicolor Reeve, have been carried out. The total lipid levels of the viscera of both abalone were much higher than those of muscle. Phospholipids were the predominant lipid components in muscle, whereas triacylglycerol in viscera. The major fatty acids identified in muscle and viscera were C16:0, C18:0, C20:4n–6, C20:5n–3 and C22:5n–3. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) accounted for over 40% of total fatty acids, and C20:4n–6 and C20:5n–3 were the most abundant PUFAs. Moreover, different fatty acid compositions were found between the muscle and viscera. Compared with muscle, viscera contained higher percentage of 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid and C18-PUFA, but lower percentage of C22-PUFA and dimethyl acetals. This study would increase awareness of the nutritional value of these two abalone and also contribute some important information to abalone aquaculture. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis diversicolor Reeve are the main commercially farmed species of abalone and have become the most important species of molluscan mariculture in China and occupied the important position in terms of commercial value among farmed molluscan products. This study analyzed the lipid profile and fatty acid compositions of muscle and viscera of the above two abalone species. The results would provide some useful nutrition information for the consumption and aquaculture of abalone. Meanwhile, the viscera of abalone are rich in total lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acid, indicating that the viscera would have great potential of exploitation and comprehensive utilization in lipids.