GC-MS comparison of fatty acids profile of oils extracted from viscera of Tainha (Mugil liza) and Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

The commercial activity of the grey mullet (known as Tainha: TAI) and Tambaqui (TAM) generates tons of waste that can be turned into valuable resources. Therefore, this work aimed to chemically characterize and quantify the fatty acids profiles of the two fishes. GCMS quantification was performed by using calibration curves built from a standard that contains 19 FAME. The analysis revealed that visceral wastes from both fishes contain 16 fatty acids (FA) consisting of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA). However, their compositions were different as FA side chains in TAI and TAM contain 12 to 20 and 13 to 22 carbon atoms, respectively. Also, the SFA amount in TAI was greater than in TAM. On the other hand, TAM is richer in MUFA and PUFA compared to TAI. Both have similar chemical compositions of & omega;-3 and & omega;-6 in PUFA and & omega;-5, & omega;-7, and & omega;-9 in MUFA.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the chemical characteristics and fatty acid profiles of the waste from grey mullet and tambaqui fish. The analysis showed that both types of waste contained saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but their compositions were slightly different. Grey mullet had higher levels of saturated fatty acids, while tambaqui had higher levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.