Fatty Acid Profile of Indian Shad Tenualosa ilisha Oil and its Dietary Significance

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) consumption is known to be associated with a number of health benefits and fish oils, especially marine, are rich in PUFAs. Tenualosa ilisha, a highly preferred food fish in South-Asian countries, is rich in oils; however, information on fatty acid profiles of different size-groups of hilsa is scanty. In the present investigation, information on fatty acid profiles of different size groups of hilsa has been generated. Analysis showed that medium-sized fish contained the highest amount of unsaturated fatty acids as well as omega-3 PUFAs, EPA plus DHA and the lowest amount of saturated fatty acids (SFAs). PUFA content was highest in small-sized hilsa; however, omega-3 PUFA content was lower and SFAs content was higher than medium-sized fish. In large-sized fish, although omega-3/omega-6 ratio was highest, quantitatively they contained the lowest amount of PUFAs and highest amount of SFAs. Thus, on basis of fatty acid profiles, medium-sized hilsa is the best followed by the small-sized fish for human health and nutrition.