Potential impact of the fat composition of farmed fish on human health

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential to the health of humans. Aspects of some diseases and clinical conditions can be alleviated by the supplementation of n-3 fatty acids. Fishery produce is the major source of n-3 fatty acids in the human diet and the public have become more aware of the health benefits associated with consuming more fish. As world fisheries are declining the demands upon the aquaculture industry to supply consumers with fishery produce are increasing. An important area of research in aquaculture is the development of diets that are both cost effective and produce adequate growth in fish. Preserving the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the final fishery product is all additional pressure when designing these diets. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.