Seasonal variations in nutritional profile of the freshwater mud eel, Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton, 1822)

Seasonal variations of proximate compositions, amino acids, and fatty acids contents of Monopterus cuchia were studied for the first time in Bangladesh. The fat and fatty acid, protein and amino acid contents showed a significant seasonal dependency. Lipid contents showed the wider variation than the protein contents. Among the 14 recorded amino acids, the primary amino acids were lysine, glutamic acid, arginine, glycine and aspartic acid. The ratio of essential and non-essential amino acids was higher in the post-monsoon season (0.69) than pre-monsoon (0.68) and monsoon season (0.68) and did not show seasonal discrepancies. The amount of fatty acids were found in order of saturated fatty acids (SFA) > mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) > polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The predominant fatty acids were palmitic and stearic acids of SFAs, oleic and palmitoleic acid of MUFAs and linoleic and a linolenic acids of PUFAs group. The combined value of EPA+DHA varied from 1.44 - 5.34% depending on the season, with the highest in monsoon season. However, the n-6/n-3 ratios were notably lower (0.58 - 2.51) throughout the season than the greatest esteem of 4. Therefore, M. cuchia may be consumed as healthy as safe food with reference to n-6/n-3 ratio, irrespective of catching seasons.