Fish from an artificial lake: n-3 PUFA content and chemical–physical and ecological features of the lake

The beneficial health effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from marine fish are widely recognized. However, concern exists about the safety of fish intake, since the water in which they live is often highly contaminated. In the present work we analyzed the n-3 PUFA and α- and γ-tocopherol composition of 12 fish species from an artificial lake located in an Italian region far from metropolitan and industrial sites, to evaluate whether the n-3 PUFA content could be comparable to that of marine fish, and whether the levels of the antioxidant tocopherols were enough to ensure a correct preservation of the fish after being caught. Moreover, we studied the chemical and physical features of the lake water and the levels of chemical pollutants present. The benthic macro-invertebrates representing the main food source for freshwater fish were also analyzed. The good chemical–physical quality of the water, as well as the n-3 PUFA and tocopherol levels in the fish, would constitute the basis for advising the dietary usage of these fish to increase intakes of these important nutrients. Pregnant or lactating women, and infants after weaning, in particular, could benefit from eating them, since safe and adequate n-3 PUFA dietary supplementation is required to guarantee the correct pre- and post-natal development of cerebral tissues in children.