Fatty acid composition of domestic fresh water fish, marine fish and fish oil capsules

Fatty acid profiles of freshwater and marine fish were determined by using capillary gaschromatography. Special attention was paid to concentration levels of long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3-PUFA) in fish. Highest amounts were found in fatty fish, especially tuna, salmon and halibut, which contained more: than 1 g/100 g. Although lean fish had a high omega 3/omega 6 PUFA ratio, their contribution to dietary omega 3-PUFA uptake was only 200-300 mg/100 g. Freshwater fish may provide well over 300 mg omega 3-PUFA/100 g (maximum 800 mg/100 g). Fish oil capsules are a convenient means to supplement the daily diet with comperatively high omega 3-PUFA doses. The fish oil capsules analysed had ca. 30 % omega 3-PUFA. Thus, the oil contained in 2 capsules is equivalent to the omega 3-PUFA content of 100 g lean fish.