The effects of age and individual size on the Fatty Acids and Elemental Composition of Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986 from Mersin Bay, Turkey

ÖZER, Selmin, AYAS, Deniz

In this study, the effects of the age and individual size on total lipid content, fatty acids and elemental composition of Nemipterus randalli caught from the Mersin Bay were determined. The lipid content of all age groups was found at similar levels. However, the highest lipid level was determined in the 3+ age group (2.85%) while the lowest level was found in the 2+ age group (2.75%). Dominant fatty acids for each age group of N. randalli are palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), vaccenic acid (C18:1n7c), cetoleic acid (C22:1n11), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3). The highest palmitic acid level was found in 3+ age group (20.45%) whereas the highest stearic acid level was found in the 2+ age group (15.00%). The highest vaccenic acid lev...