AUTHORS: Steven Gratz, The Ohio State University; Jacob Bentley, The Ohio State University; Stuart Ludsin, The Ohio State University
ABSTRACT: Fatty acids are vital for human health and affect overall well-being while reducing disease risk. Fish tissue contains a plethora of fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are primarily found in fish and help the human body to function properly. Little research has been conducted studying the fatty acid composition of freshwater fishes with a majority of research focusing on saltwater fishes. However, it is important to understand the fatty acid composition among freshwater fishes that support locally sourced food. We sought to understand species, size, and seasonal variation of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) and Channel Catfish (I. punctatus) within two central Ohio Reservoirs to help locavores make informed decisions on which type of fish to consume. Belly fillets with skin attached were collected from Blue Catfish (n=37) and Channel Catfish (n=39) in the summer and fall of 2022 from Hoover Reservoir and Channel Catfish were also collected from Alum Creek Reservoir in the summer of 2022 using short-term gill net sets. We hypothesized that beneficial fatty acid concentrations would vary with environmental seasonal changes (e.g., water temperature) and fish size and species due to differences in feeding ecology. We also expected to observe increasing concentrations of EPA and DHA with an increase in fish size. While understanding the fatty acid composition of different fishes can help locavores make informed decisions, it is dually important to conduct a risk-benefit assessment to ensure that fish have adequate levels of fatty acids while also following fish consumption guidelines to maintain a safe level of contaminant exposure.
