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The proximate composition of three marine pelagic fish: blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), boarfish (Capros aper) and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)
Egerton, S. Mannion, D. Culloty, S. Whooley, J. STANTON, CATHERINE Ross, R.P.
Egerton, S.
Mannion, D.
Culloty, S.
Whooley, J.
STANTON, CATHERINE
Ross, R.P.
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2020-12-18
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Egerton S, Mannion D, Culloty S, Whooley J, Stanton C, Ross RP. The proximate composition of three marine pelagic fish: blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), boarfish (Capros aper) and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 2020;59(1):185-200; doi http://dx.doi.org/10.15212/ijafr-2020-0112
Abstract
This study presents data from an in-depth proximate compositional analysis of three marine fish species: blue
whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), boarfish (Capros aper) and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). These fish
contained significant amounts of protein (16–17%), lipids (4–11%) and minerals (2–6% ash). The proteins, particularly
from boarfish, had close to optimum amino acid profiles for human and fish nutrition. They compared favourably
with other fish species in terms of total lipids and relative concentration of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic
acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (11.8–13.3% and 5.9–8.1% in triacylglycerols [TG] and 24.6–35.4% and 5.8–12.0% in
phospholipids [PL]). Atlantic herring had the highest lipid content among the three fish and was found to contain
high levels of PL poly-unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids. Minerals detected in the fish included
calcium (272–1,520 mg/100 g), phosphorus (363–789 mg/100 g), iron (1.07–2.83 mg/100 g), magnesium (40.70–62.10
mg/100 g), potassium (112.00–267.00 mg/100 g), selenium (0.04–0.06 mg/100 g), sodium (218.00–282.00 mg/100 g)
and zinc (1.29–5.57 mg/100 g). Boarfish had the highest ash fraction and also the highest levels of all the minerals,
except potassium. Atlantic herring had considerably lower mineral content compared with the other two species
and, levels detected were also lower than those reported in previously published studies. Heavy metals contents
were quantified, and levels were significantly below the maximum allowable limits for all elements except arsenic,
which ranged from 1.34 to 2.44 mg/kg in the three fish species. Data outlined here will be useful for guiding product
development. Future studies would benefit from considering catch season, sex and developmental stage of the fish.