Lipids in Antarctic Minke Whales. III

Site and Sexual Differences of Muscle Lipids

Abstract

Site (dorsal and posterior) and sexual (male and female) differences of total lipids in muscle of minke whales caught on 1990/91 season were determined. Total lipid content was generally higher in posterior than dorsal muscle. Triacylglycerol content for both sexes was 47.1%, 48.3% of total lipids in dorsal muscle and 68.3%, 66.8% in posterior muscle. Main fatty acids of total lipids were 14 : 0, 16 : 0, 16 : 1n-7, 18 : 0, 18 : 1n-9, 18 : 1n-7, 20 : 4n-6, EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3). The differences of site and sex of total lipids in muscle of minke whales were recognized.