The main of this study was to analyze the physical-chemical composition and, especially the fatty acids composition, in the total lipids of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) heads, submitted to different ration supply times (0, 10, 20, 30 days) with flaxseed oil (source of a-linolenic acid 18:3 n-3, LNA), in substitution to the sunflower oil. There were not significant differences among (P>0,05) the moisture, ash, protein, and total lipids values for the different treatments (times of supply). The values of total lipids found in the heads varied from 8.41 to 10.13%, and 27 fatty acids were found in these lipids in all treatments. The majority fatty acids were 18:2n-6, 18:1n-9 and 16:0. There was an increase in the LNA acid percentage values, in the omega-3 (n-3) sum, and a decrease of the n-6/n-3 reason, with significant differences among the treatment A (zero time) and other treatments that received flaxseed oil. There were not significant differences among the treatments in relation to polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA) rate.
Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus); heads; fatty acids; omega-3; flaxseed oil
