Differences in fatty acid composition of egg capsules from broodstock spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, fed a local trash fish and formulated diet under hatchery conditions

Abstract

This study was the first attempt to condition broodstock Babylonia areolata using the formulated diets under 
hatchery conditions. Samples of spotted babylon egg capsules from broodstock, which had been fed either a 
formulated diet or a local trash fish, carangid fish (Seleroides leptolepis) for 120 days were analyzed for proximate 
composition and fatty acid composition. The formulated diet contained significantly higher levels of arachinodic 
acid (ARA) (20:4n-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (22:6n-3) than those of 
the local trash fish. The formulated diet also had significantly higher ratios of DHA/EPA and (n-3)/(n-6) 
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than those of the local trash fish but not for ARA/EPA ratio. The fatty acid 
compositions of egg capsules produced from broodstock fed formulated diet contained significantly more ARA, 
EPA and DHA compared to the broodstock fed the local trash fish. The ARA/EPA and DHA/EPA ratios in egg 
capsules were significantly higher in the trash fish–fed group compared to those fed the formulated diet. However, 
(n – 3)/(n – 6) PUFA ratios in egg capsules produced from broodstock fed the formulated diet did not significantly 
differ compared to those from broodstock fed the local trash fish. The relatively low DHA/EPA, ARA/EPA and (n – 
3)/(n – 6) ratios in the egg capsules produced from the formulated diet – fed broodstock of B. areolata suggested 
that this diet was inferior, when compared to the traditional food of trash fish.