The fatty acid profile of the Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta from the Arabian Sea was studied in relation to its maturation and spawning cycle. Among fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) component was the highest (46.9%) followed by saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) at 41.8% and 11% respectively. No differences were observed between the period of low spawning activity in January and peak spawning activity in May. However significant (p<0.05) differences were observed with regard to sex where females had higher levels of SFA and MUFA while males had higher levels of PUFA. With regard to maturity stages, only females showed significant differences (p<0.05) in MUFA content with higher level in mature stages compared to immature stages. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was the single largest component of PUFA. The absence of marked temperature differences in the Arabian Sea probably precludes seasonal effects on the levels of SFA,MUFA and PUFA in the Indian mackerel while variations of individual FA within these groups indicate lipid dynamics in relation to reproduction and feeding.

Rastrelliger kanagurta, Arabian Sea, fatty acids