Studies on lipid and fatty acid compositions of puffer livers from Indian coastal waters with seasonal variation

The puffer fishes Chelonodon patoca, Sphaeroides oblongus, Lagocephalus lunaris, and L. inermis of Indian coastal waters are wasted in huge quantity. The livers of these fishes were investigated for their lipid contents and fatty acid compositions in different seasons. It was found that monsoon season is the suitable time to obtain the maximal lipids (40.1-48.8%) from their livers, an amount similar to cod liver lipid content (39.5-55.0%). The fatty acids were mostly saturates and monoenes (60-70%). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations (7-12%) were high during monsoon season. Neutral lipids were the predominant lipid class (>80%) and comprised triglycerides (277-674 mg/g) and cholesterol (0.6-3.1 mg/g). Quality indices of puffer liver lipids, e.g., specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, iodine value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter, were evaluated. Puffer liver lipids were quantitatively and qualitatively comparable to other commercially important marine fish oils. The overall study suggests the possibility of future commercial utilization of liver lipids from puffer, an unconventional, cheap, and easily available source.