Levels of fatty acids, phospholipids and sterols in the skin and muscle of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish

The levels of fatty acids, phospholipids and sterols were determined in the skin and muscle of Oreochromis niloticus on dry weight basis. Results showed crude fat varied from 0.228-2.25 G/100 G; sea varied from 43.4-43.6% of total fatty acids, total unsaturated fatty acids varied from 51.7-52.9%, PUFA range was 27.7-28.6% and PUFA/SFA ranged from 0.635-0.658. In the phospholipids, lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) was highest in both skin and muscle with values of 139-400 MG/100 G. among the sterols, sitosterol (33.5 MG/100 G) was highest in skin while cholesterol (4.35 MG/100 G) was highest in the muscle. Skin had only traces of n-3 but high n-6 fatty acids whereas muscle had low n-6 but high n-3 fatty acids. Whilst 100 G skin would provide 1.57 G fatty acids, 100 G muscle would provide 0.160 G fatty acids.