Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) lipid composition: Does it change after one year in captivity?

Atlantic sardines (Sardina pilchardus) captured in the Portuguese mainland coast and maintained in captivity for one year feeding on artificial diet showed significant differences in muscle total lipids (TL) content in relation to wild fish (25% after one year compared to 14% in wild). Captive sardines had higher percentage of non-polar lipids (NPL) in their muscle, presented higher levels of 18:1n-9 and lower of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in NPL than those observed in wild fish. TL in the liver were not significantly different between captive and wild fish, but the NPL fraction of captive sardines presented higher levels of 22:6n-3 and 20:5n-3 than those registered in the wild. Polar lipids (PL) were less influenced by captivity since the fatty acids profile was more stable. The excess of energy in the diet of captive sardines was reflected in lipid accumulation in subcutaneous layer and visceral fat and not in the liver.