Differentiation in the Lipid Quality of Wild and Farmed Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)

The elements of differentiation that characterize the quality of the lipid fraction of wild and farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated. Reared fish of either species had a total lipid content significantly higher than the wild counterparts. Liquid chromatography of unsaponifiable lipids showed, on a lipid gram basis, higher cholesterol levels in wild fish and comparable amounts of squalene, all-trans retinol, and α-tocopherol. Gas chromatography of total lipids revealed differences between the fatty acid profiles of wild and reared fish.