Composition and seasonal variation of fatty acids of Diplodus vulgaris L. from the Adriatic Sea

Muscle tissue from the common two-banded sea bream Diploclus vulgaris L. originating from the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, was analyzed. The FA composition of neutral (TAG) and polar (PE, PC, PI/PS) lipid classes was determined, as well as the lipid and water contents during winter and summer periods. Both the total lipid and water contents were higher in the winter period. We identified 16 different FA. The major constituents of the total FA in both seasons were saturates: palmitic (16:0) and stearic acids (118:0); monoenes: oleic (18:1n-9) and palmitoleic acids (116:1n-7); and polyunsaturates: arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), EPA (20:5n-3), and DHA (22:6n-3), but their amounts and ratios differed significantly between the two seasons and between lipid fractions. The FA composition showed a noticeable pattern of seasonality that reflected fluctuations mainly in TAG. The diminution of the monounsaturated FA content in the summer was clearly followed by an increase in PUFA content. Diplodus vulgaris is a good source of natural n-3 PUFA and would therefore be suitable for inclusion in highly unsaturated low-fat diets.