Comparative seasonal sterol profiles in edible parts of Mediterranean fish and shellfish species.

摘要

Effect of different seasons on sterol content of sea foods was investigated. 4 sterols were identified (cholesterol, sitosterol, desmosterol and stigmasterol), with cholesterol being the predominant sterol. Stigmasterol was a minor component in fish, whilst sitosterol was one of the main phytosterols found in fish. Cholesterol content of fish was 38-100% of total sterols in fish and 54-80% of total sterols in shellfish. The highest cholesterol content in fish was found in summer and the lowest in autumn, whereas season did not have any effect on cholesterol level of green tiger prawns and speckled shrimps. Total sterol content of fish ranged from 49 to 110 mg/100 g, while that of shrimps ranged from 62 to 91 mg/100 g. Results showed that total sterols in fish were generally found at lower levels in winter compared with other seasons.