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