Analysis of the Effect of Dietary Lipid Sources on Flesh Quality and Fatty Acid Profile of African Catfish in Kaduna State

The fatty acid composition of fish flesh is a key determinant of the nutritional value and consumer health benefits of farmed catfish, and dietary lipid sources significantly influence flesh fatty acid profiles. This study analyses the effect of feeding African catfish diets formulated with different lipid sources, namely palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, and mixed fish oil, on growth performance, carcass composition, flesh fatty acid profile, and textural properties in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. One hundred and sixty juvenile Clarias gariepinus with an initial mean weight of 14.2 g were distributed across 16 concrete tanks and fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. Growth parameters, feed conversion ratio, and survival were recorded at harvest. Whole-body and fillet fatty acid profiles were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Texture was assessed using a texture profile analyser. Results showed no significant differences in growth performance among dietary lipid treatments. Flesh eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations were highest in the fish oil diet group, while flesh oleic acid was highest in the soybean oil group. The palm oil diet produced higher flesh saturated fatty acid proportions and firmer texture. The ratio of n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids was most favourable for human health in the fish oil and sunflower oil groups. The study recommends partial fish oil inclusion at 30% to balance cost-effectiveness with optimal nutritional value of catfish flesh for consumers in North West Nigeria.

Keywords: dietary lipid, fatty acid profile, Clarias gariepinus, flesh quality, Kaduna State