Characterization of fatty acids in coral at Redang Island, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

A study of lipid content and lipid composition of fatty acids (FA) was made for 4 corals species Acropora formosa, Acropora valenciennesi, Acropora hyacinthus and Pachyseris speciosa from Pasir Akar, Pulau Redang, Terengganu. The coral samples were collected in August 2007. The lipid content and fatty acids characteristics were compared in all tissue samples of coral in order to study the characteristic differences or similarity among them. In all species, the lipid classes' concentrations were significantly different. The average dry weight of total lirids in tissue sample of A. formosa, A. valenciennesi, A. hyacinthus and P. speciosa were 0.10 g g· ,0.10 g g·1, 0.21 g g"1, 0.14 g g·1 respectively .From the result shows in this study the mean percentage of total FA composition in Acropora Formosa, Acropora valenciennesi composed of 25.6% and 27.5% in the total lipid content whereas in Pachyseris speciosa corals was significantly lower, composed of 15.3%. The mean percentages of total lipid in Acropora hyacinthus was significantly higher than others, 31.3 %. The average concentration fatty acids classes were shown in this study. In SAFA of A. formosa, A. valenciennesi, A. hyacinthus and P. speciosa were 22.36%, 0.60%,15. 55% and 22.30% respectively. In PUFA class for A. formosa, A. valenciennesi, A. hyacinthus and P. speciosa were 33.07 %, 23.38%, 35.42% and 37.25 % respectively. In MUFA class for A. formosa, A. valenciennesi, A. hyacinthus and P. speciosa were 36.84%, 25.20%, 36.28% and 27.3 8. The PUF A and MUF A component was maintained as higher number of total F As in all corals sample. These results maybe from the dietary to produces higher PUF A and lower MUF A proportion in tissues and the negative relationship reported between ro3 and ro6 fatty acids. Palmatic acid (16:0) was the main fatty acid contained in all tissues sample because it was the first product of biosynthesis. The result also indicated ro6 PUF As were more dominant than ro3 PUF As in all tissue samples. It is suggested that ro6 PUF As may be more useful for the biochemical classification of these corals than w3 PUF As. The coral obtained both type fatty acids maybe through feeding on product from photosynthetic organisms (zooxanthellae). The concentration of total ro3 and ro6 PUF As among corals samples were shown in .A. formosa was significantly higher than others. In addition, maybe the loss of key factor such as zooxanthellae in certain corals samples may explain differences in FA composition and low total ro3 and ro6 PUF A level in A. valenciennesi. There are no significant differences between total ro3 and ro6 PUFA in A. hyacinthus and P. speciosa. The distinctive fatty acid compositions may be useful in future food web studies utilizing fatty acids as biomarkers of trophic behavior.