engleski

Fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat of brown bears in Croatia

Fats are essential for animal life ; not just as a source of energy, but as well as essential components of membranes. White adipose tissue is an energy storage depot in the form of triacylglycerols, primarily deposited in abdominal and subcutaneous fat. It is especialy important as energy source for brown bears throughout the winter. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential diet component in animals high in food pyramid and are not synthesized in mammals in the absence of their essential fatty acid precursors. The objective of this study was better understanding of dynamics of fat metabolism in brown bear. The study was conducted on 12 animals: male: n=6, 4.75±4.94 yr ; female: n=6, 3.75±1.73 yr. Samples were collected during the legal hunting season (March-May and September-December 2013). After thawing, homogenization and lipid extraction, the fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Results showed that lipids isolated from depot adipose tissues of brown bear were dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids (males 51.56%, females 46.53%), while the most common was oleic acid (C18:1n-9). Saturated fatty acids constituted of 28.03% in males and of 30.73% in females, and palmitic acid was found in the highest percentage (C:16). Polyunsaturated fatty acids were found in 27.01% in males and 22.75% in females. The most abundant fatty acid in brown bear adipose tissues was linoleic acid (C18:2). The fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat of brown bear showed no sex differences. Abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids varies between different foods and their relative abundance in the food of animals have important consequences for animal performance. Results can help in better understanding of the westernmost stable population of brown bears in Europe and their quality management.

brown bear; fatty acid composition; subcutaneous

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