Fatty acids play an important role in the biology of marine
fish. Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA, EPA, and ARA are involved in the
regulation of membrane fluidity, nervous tissue development, sensory behavior,
and the synthesis of bioactive substances. Fatty acids also serve as a metabolic
source of energy. Information such as fatty acid content and fatty acid
composition is useful as an index that quantitatively or qualitatively
indicates the nutritional status of marine fish.
Figure: Fatty acid
analysis conducted with the muscles of larvae (above).
Approximately 50 types of fatty acids (including ARA, EPA, and
DHA) were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography.