Seasonal variations in proximate and fatty acid compositions of female common sole (Solea solea)

The effects of seasonal variation on the proximate and fatty acid compositions of wild female common sole (Solea solea) were determined. The levels of lipid displayed pronounced seasonal fluctuations with the highest values in February and August (0.45-0.83% fresh weight) and the lowest values in April and November (0.20-0.13% fresh weight). Although protein levels were similar, dry matter fluctuations were observed for all seasons. In the present study, the percentages of EPA and DHA were between 3.3-64.26% of total lipid and 18.75-20.23% of total lipid, respectively, according to the seasons. The composition of fatty acids in August showed that saturated fatty acids were highest followed by n - 3 and mono unsaturated fatty acids. The maximum level of n - 6 was found in February. The results indicated that then - 3/n - 6 ratios were 3.84, 3.41, 1.89, 1.45 in August, April, November and February, respectively. It was concluded that common sole is a healthy item in the human diet during the fishing period in the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey when balanced n - 3/n - 6 ratios and EPA and DHA levels are considered. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.