Proximate, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol and Alpha-Tocopherol Contents in Selected Marine Fish and Shellfish From West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Fish and shellfish are widely known as highly nutritious food. However, generally people always consider fish from different types are all of the same nutritional value and select fish only based on availability, freshness, flavour and other physical factors. Thus, to increase awareness on nutrient composition of local fish and shellfish among consumers, information on complete nutritional values must be made available. The main objective of the study was to determine and validate the proximate, fatty acids, cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol contents in selected marine fish and shellfish from West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (WCPM). Stratified random sampling procedurewas used and samples were collected from 10 fish landing areas located along WCPM. Nutritional data were derived from mean of values of the composite samples. Generally, the proximate analysis showed that most samples contained moisture values (70-90%), ash content (1-2%); protein content for fish (18-20%) and for shellfish (13- 16%) samples. Based on the fat contents, nine species of fish samples can be categorized as lean fish (8% fat). Only four samples contained carbohydrate; fringescale sardinella (Clupea fimbriata), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis ), cockles (Anadara granosa )and oyster (Ostrea spp.) at 3.07%, 0.87%, 1.51%, and 6.45%, respectively. For micro minerals contents, cockles (Anadara granosa) and oyster (Ostrea spp.)contained significantly higher (p<0.05) levels of cobalt, iron, manganase and zinc compared to other samples. Meanwhile for copper, prawn (Metapenaeus affinis) and oyster (Ostrea spp.) were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to others. Overall, the contents of micro minerals in all samples were below the permissible limits; except for oyster (Ostrea spp.); with copper slightly higher than the limit set by FAO/WHO (1984),but below the limit set by Malaysian Food Regulation (1985); and zinc content higher than the limit set by Malaysian Food Regulation (1985), but below the limit set by FAO/WHO (1984). Meanwhile for macro minerals, most samples contained comparable sodium contents, significantly lower of potassium contents, higher calcium contents, and extremely higher of magnesium contents compared to the common ranges reported in the literatures. All samples were good sources of other micro and macro minerals and could provide multi-health benefits if consumed in recommended amounts. Quantification of fatty acids in all samples showed that longtail shad (Hilsa macrura),yellowstripe scad (Selaroides leptolepis), and moonfish (Trachinotus blochii) contained significantly higher (p