A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE LIPID CONTENT AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF Gammarus komareki (SCHAFERNA 1922), (CRUSTACEA: AMPHIPODA)

Beneficial effects of omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids are consistent of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on human health have been well understood issue during the last decade. Freshwater gammarids known as a natural source of PUFA and some of fish especially salmonids (e.g. trout) feeding mainly on these crustacea, thus became rich in these fatty acids. The aim of this work is to reveal of lipid content and fatty acid composition of Gammarus komareki that inhabiting in Kirkgozler limnocrene spring Northwestern Anatolia, Canakkale – Turkey. Total lipid of G. komareki was found 4.97% (±0.11). The results showed that the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were found higher than monounsaturated fatty acids. Total ω-3, ω-6 and ω-9 were 16.63%, 12.3%, and 29.41% respectively. PUFA (30.74%), oleic+elaidic acids (27.84%), palmitic acid (19.63%) and EPA (9.45%) are predominant in G. komareki . According to our data, G. komareki has almost a higher content of PUFA than the other Gammarids which live in the Europe and Asia. Thus, it might be considered as an alternative source of PUFA and ω-3 fatty acids for local aquaculture nutrition.