Interaction between dietary saturated fatty acids and cholesterol on mineral and fatty acid availability and postprandial lipids absorption kinetics in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with an initial weight of approximately 160 g were fed with one of four experimental diets containing low / high levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA, 10 % vs. 24 % of total fatty acid) / cholesterol (CHO, 200 vs. 2400 mg kg- 1) in a 2 x 2 design, lasting for 3 months. Plasma samples were collected at 7 postprandial time points (0 h-35.5 h) after 50 days of feeding, and fish were sampled at the end of the trial. Results showed that the increased SFA level in the feed significantly increased the whole-body selenium and iron concentrations. However, whole-body zinc status was neither affected by dietary SFA nor CHO. Additionally, increased SFA level in feed significantly increased the postprandial plasma CHO, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total protein levels. Also, increased CHO level in feed increased the postprandial plasma astaxanthin, CHO, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and LDL levels. However, analyzed markers related to intestinal triacylglycerol transport were not affected by dietary SFA. Due to dramatic reductions of SFA and CHO in plant-based feed, understanding their nutritional function in Salmo salar is important for the aquaculture industry.