Abstract:
In the research to determine the compositions of metal contaminants, vitamin, mineral and fatty acids upon the Mugil cephalus (L., 1758) caviar imported from Mauritania and waxed in Turkey. It has been found that the fish samples that the caviar belonged to, were caught in waters which were rich in terms of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) and their amount has been determined as 11.35 and 0.004 mg/100 g in raw caviar; 12.24 and 0.005 mg/100 g in waxed caviar respectively. It has been found that these values are close to the values that are dangerous for human health. Iron (Fe) amount, on the other hand, has been quite low, 0.87 mg/100 g. In both samples, it has been found that, it is vitamin E that is richest in it and the amount of vitamin A is above the FAO/WHO's recommendation about reliable daily consumption amount for adults. The highest value has been phosphorus (P), in terms of minerals. Furthermore, the value of protein, lipid, ash, carbohydrate, energy of waxed caviar were significantly higher (p<0.05) than raw caviar. Lead, mercury and copper (Pb, Hg and Cu) concentrations in raw and waxed caviar were below detection limit. Fatty acids of raw and waxed caviar oil were C16:0, C16:1, C18:1 n-9; C20:5 n3; C22:6n-3. Palmitic acid (C16:0) was determined as the dominant saturated fatty acid. Palmitoleic acid (C16:1) was also found as the major unsaturated fatty acid in raw and waxed caviar samples.
