Fatty acid composition and influence of temperature on the lipid stability of Arapaima gigas meat

Abstract The nutritional quality and lipid stability of Arapaima gigas fillets were investigated. A total of 27.32 kg of A. gigas fillets were obtained and the proximate composition and fatty acid profile immediately determined. In addition, the lipid oxidation parameters were analyzed during 15 and 90 days at 4 °C and –20 °C, respectively. The A. gigas fillets presented high protein (> 15%) and low lipid (< 2%) contents with elevated polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) contents (43.97%). The nutritional quality indices were the atherogenicity index (0.35), thrombogenicity index (0.28) and the hypocholesterolemic acid/ hypercholesterolemic acid ratio (2.37). Overall, an increase followed by a decrease was observed in the peroxide index (PI) and malondialdehyde content (MDA) results at both storage temperatures ( p < 0.05). The lipid profile exhibited great nutritional quality, however new conservation methods should be investigated for this matrix due to increased lipid oxidation during refrigerated and frozen storage. Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a qualidade nutricional bem como a estabilidade lipídica de filés de Arapaima gigas. Um total de 27,32 kg de filés de A. gigas foi obtido e a composição centesimal e o perfil de ácidos graxos foram imediatamente determinados. Além disso, os parâmetros de oxidação lipídica foram analisados durante 15 e 90 dias, a 4 °C e -20 °C, respectivamente. Os filés de A. gigas apresentaram elevado teor de proteína (>15%) e baixa quantidade de lipídeos (