Holothurians are increasingly recognized as bioindicators and bioremediators in marine ecosystems. This study assessed the relationship between total mercury (THg) levels in Holothuria polii and Holothuria tubulosa from two Southern Italian coastal sites differing for ecological and anthropogenic characteristics, and those in corresponding marine sediments. THg levels in holothurians were consistently low across species and sites (0.0022–0.0146 mg kg− 1 wet mass) and showed no direct correspondence with sediment levels, which were high (1.5080 ± 1.1687 mg kg− 1 dry mass) at the Ionian site (IS), and low (0.0055 ± 0.0028 mg kg− 1 dry mass) at the Adriatic site (AS). Despite lower sediment mercury contamination, the bioconcentration factor, indicator of the efficiency of metal bioaccumulation was higher at the AS site (3.54–4.76) than at the IS site (0.021–0.022), suggesting different mercury bioavailability in the sites. Size-related analyses of THg in holothurians indicated that THg levels in individual holothurians correlated positively with body size (p < 0.05), except for H. tubulosa from AS. Results demonstrate that site-specific factors, more than species-specific ones, play a key function in controlling mercury bioavailability and uptake in the studied holothurians, supporting their potential role in environmental monitoring and their safe consumption in the studied areas.

Sea cucumbers are marine invertebrates with important ecological roles and a food delicacy with high market value. This study investigated the compositional profile and nutritional features of two Mediterranean sea cucumbers, Holothuria polii and Holothuria tubulosa, harvested in Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, Southern Italy. The macronutrients were determined by AOAC methods. The minerals were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and fatty acids by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/ Flame Ionization Detector (GC-MS/FID). Total mercury content was analyzed by Thermal Decomposition-Amalgamation-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results showed that holothurians from the two basins are good protein (average 38-60 % dry mass) and mineral (32-37 % dry mass) sources, have a very low lipid content (1-3.7 % dry mass) and negligible mercury levels (0.016-0.038 mg kg-1 dry mass). H. polii showed a higher nutrient density, especially regarding minerals, with calcium, sodium and magnesium as the major ones. The analysis of fatty acid profiles enabled the identification of specific markers, reflecting habitat characteristics, seasonality, and dietary attitudes of holothurians. High percentages of arachidonic acid (47-65 % of total polyunsaturated fatty acids) and remarkable levels of branched-chain (6-9 % of total fatty acids) and odd-chain saturated fatty acids (1.7-3.8 % of total fatty acids), trophic markers of benthic food webs and sediment microbiota, were characterizing traits. Principal Component Analysis showed a neat discrimination of holothurians based on the species and harvesting site. Results underscore the nutritional properties of Mediterranean holothurian as part of a balanced diet, highlighting their potentialities as sources of molecules of nutritional and nutraceutical interest.

The fatty acid composition of some seed oils from plants of emerging interest was studied. The benefits towards human health were evaluated by taking into account current recommendations regarding dietary intake of essential, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids and by discussing the pathologies for which such fatty acids exert protective action. Species studied were Hemp (Cannabis sativa), Flax (Linum usitatissimum), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Perilla (Perilla frutescens), Borage (Borago officinalis), and Black Cumin (Nigella sativa). Seeds were subjected to cold milling in order to maintain their original nutritional characteristics. Chemical analyses were performed via the dual-detector gas chromatography technique by means of Flame Ionization Detection (FID) and mass spectrometry (MS) and by applying a modified version of the AOAC Official Method 991.39, thanks to which it was possible to obtain the fatty acid composition expressed as mg per gram of oil: such information is not always available in the literature for the species studied here. Comparison with the fatty acid international guidelines about the recommended intakes in g/day was made. This allowed us to evaluate whether such oils are suitable to be used as fatty acid food supplements to rebalance the Western diet, which is shown to be inadequate by numerous studies. Results show that seed oils from Cannabis sativa, Linum usitatissimum, and Perilla frutescens are suitable to be used as food supplements while seed oils from Silybum marianum, Borago officinalis, and Nigella sativa are not. It is important to note that any possible benefits from other parts of the plant (leaves, stems, flowers, and roots) are not studied or questioned by the present research, which focuses solely on fatty acids in the oil extracted from the seeds.

The European Union's recent decision to renew the authorization for the use of glyphosate until 15 December 2033 has stimulated scientific discussion all around the world regarding its toxicity or otherwise for humans. Glyphosate is a chemical of which millions of tons have been used in the last 50 years worldwide to dry out weeds in cultivated fields and greenhouses and on roadsides. Concern has been raised in many areas about its possible presence in the food chain and its consequent adverse effects on health. Both aspects that argue in favor of toxicity and those that instead may indicate limited toxicity of glyphosate are discussed here. The widespread debate that has been generated requires further investigations and field measurements to understand glyphosate's fate once dispersed in the environment and its concentration in the food chain. Hence, there is a need for validated analytical methods that are available to analysts in the field. In the present review, methods for the analytical determination of glyphosate and its main metabolite, AMPA, are discussed, with a specific focus on chromatographic techniques applied to cereal products. The experimental procedures are explained in detail, including the cleanup, derivatization, and instrumental conditions, to give the laboratories involved enough information to proceed with the implementation of this line of analysis. The prevalent chromatographic methods used are LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/SIM, and GC-MS/MS, but sufficient indications are also given to those laboratories that wish to use the better performing high-resolution MS or the simpler HPLC-FLD, HPLC-UV, GC-NPD, and GC-FPD techniques for screening purposes. The concentrations of glyphosate from the literature measured in wheat, corn, barley, rye, oats, soybean, and cereal-based foods are reported, together with its regulatory status in various parts of the world and its accumulation mechanism. As for its accumulation in cereals, the available data show that glyphosate tends to accumulate more in wholemeal flours than in refined ones, that its concentration in the product strictly depends on the treatment period (the closer it is to the time of harvesting, the higher the concentration), and that in cold climates, the herbicide tends to persist in the soil for a long time.

The European Union's recent decision to renew the authorization for the use of glyphosate until 15 December 2033 stimulates the scientific discussion all around the world regarding its toxicity or otherwise for humans. Glyphosate is a chemical used by millions of tons in the last 50 years worldwide to drying weeds in cultivated fields, greenhouses, roadsides. Concern has been raised in many quarters about the possible presence in the food chain and the consequent adverse effects on health: both aspects that argue in favor of toxicity and those that instead may indicate limited toxicity of glyphosate are here discussed. The great debate that has been generated requires further investigations and field measurements to understand its fate once dispersed in the environment and its concentration in the food chain. Hence the need for validated analytical methods that are available to analysts in the field. In the present review, methods for the analytical determination of glyphosate and its main metabolite, AMPA, are discussed, with a specific focus on chromatographic techniques applied to cereal products. The experimental procedures are explained in any detail, including cleanup, derivatization, and instrumental conditions to give the laboratories involved enough information to proceed with the implementation of this line of analysis. The prevalent chromatographic methods used are LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/SIM, and GC-MS/MS but sufficient indications are also given to those laboratories that wish to use the simpler HPLC-FLD, HPLC-UV, GC-NPD or GC-FPD techniques for screening purposes. Concentrations from literature measured in wheat, corn, barley, rye, oats, soybean, and cereal-based foods are reported together with the regulatory status in various parts of the world and the accumulation mechanism. As for the accumulation in cereals, available data show that glyphosate tends to accumulate more in wholemeal flours than in refined ones, that its concentration in the product strictly depends on the treatment period (the closer it is to the time of harvesting, the higher the concentration) and that in cold climates the herbicide tends to persist in the soil for a long time.

Rapeseed meal (RSM), a by-product of rapeseed oil extraction, is currently used for low-value purposes. With a biorefinery approach, rapeseed proteins may be extracted and recovered for high-end uses to fully exploit their nutritional and functional properties. This study reports the application of RSM protein isolate, the main output of a biorefining process aimed at recovering high-value molecules from rapeseed meal, as a supplement to texture-modified (TM) food designed for elderly people with mastication and dysphagia problems. The compositional (macronutrients by Official Methods of Analyses, and mineral and trace element profiles using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry ICP-OES), nutritional and sensory evaluations of TM chicken breast, carrots and bread formulated without and with RSM protein supplementation (5% w/w) are hereby reported. The results show that the texture modification of food combined with rapeseed protein isolate supplementation has a positive impact on the nutritional and sensory profile of food, meeting the special requirements of seniors. TM chicken breast and bread supplemented with RSM protein isolate showed unaltered or even improved sensory properties and a higher nutrient density, with particular regard to proteins (+20–40%) and minerals (+10–16%). Supplemented TM carrots, in spite of the high nutrient density, showed a limited acceptability, due to poor sensory properties that could be overcome with an adjustment to the formulation. This study highlights the potentialities of RSM as a sustainable novel protein source in the food sector. The application of RSM protein proposed here is in line with the major current challenges of food systems such as the responsible management of natural resources, the valorization of agri-food by-products, and healthy nutrition with focus on elderly people.

In the present work, experimental measurements were carried out on dietary fats purchased in stores or bought online and produced in different countries of the world. Shortenings of animal origin (lard, butter) or vegetable-made (margarine, coconut oil, hydrogenated palm/soybean oil) were selected. The concentrations of organochlorines (OC pesticides and PCBs) were measured to ascertain whether the level of these contaminants in food has decreased since they were banned and to assess the today consumer exposure to such xenobiotics. Analyses were carried out by GC-ECD and GC-MS according to the United Nations Environment Program on persistent organic pollutants. Organochlorines were detected in 85% of the samples analysed. The observed levels were not high (maximum value 5.54 & PLUSMN; 2.33 ng g-1) and point out a slow decline over the last years. Butter from Europe was the most studied matrix showing HCB and 4,4 & PRIME;-DDE as the main organochlorines that were constantly detected above the limit of quantitation. This can be explained if the past use of the two pesticides is considered. Consumption data from the EFSA database were combined with the HCB and 4,4 & PRIME;-DDE concentrations measured in the present research to obtain the Estimated Daily Intakes (EDIs) of the two contaminants from butter. The comparison with the Tolerable Daily Intakes (TDIs) set by World Health Organization indicates that the observed EDIs are far below the TDIs, so allowing to conclude that the risk deriving from the intake of the investigated organochlorines through butter is acceptably low for European consumers. Results relating to some non-Aroclor PCBs detected in shortenings, such as PCB 47, which have recently been discovered to be released into the environment are also reported.

Milk and derivatives are a very important part in the diet of the world population. Products from goat, buffalo, and sheep species have a greater economic value than the cow ones, therefore, authenticity frauds by improperly adding cow's milk occur frequently: dairy products are among the seven more attractive foods for adulteration. Milk from each of the above-cited animal species has its own definite profile of whey proteins (variants of alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin) and its definite profile of caseins (variants of alpha(S1)-, alpha(S2)-, beta-, and kappa-casein). Such proteins can be usefully exploited as markers of authenticity by using capillary electrophoresis which is the technique of choice for the analysis of proteins. Due to the multiple adjustable parameters that are unknown to other analytical techniques, capillary electrophoresis is able to detect frauds in milk mixtures and cheese with little use of solvents, fast analysis time, and ease of operation. This makes it attractive and competitive for routine checks that are very important to fight the adulteration market. Advantages and limitations are discussed.

Milk and derivatives are a very important part in the diet of the world population. Products from goat, buffalo, and sheep species have a greater economic value than the cow ones, therefore, authenticity frauds by improperly adding cow's milk occur frequently: dairy products are among the seven more attractive foods for adulteration. Milk from each of the above-cited animal species has its own definite profile of whey proteins (variants of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin) and its definite profile of caseins (variants of αS1 -, αS2 -, β-, and κ-casein). Such proteins can be usefully exploited as markers of authenticity by using capillary electrophoresis which is the technique of choice for the analysis of proteins. Due to the multiple adjustable parameters that are unknown to other analytical techniques, capillary electrophoresis is able to detect frauds in milk mixtures and cheese with little use of solvents, fast analysis time, and ease of operation. This makes it attractive and competitive for routine checks that are very important to fight the adulteration market. Advantages and limitations are discussed.

The global market of food supplements is growing rapidly with a large turnover. Fish oil supplements represent a significant part of this turnover as they are believed to have important health benefits. Conversely, there are few papers in the literature about the quality control of fish oil capsules. As prior studies illustrate, a perfect agreement with the label is rarely found, and in some isolated cases, large amounts of soybean oil are also detected, indicating a true adulteration rather than a non-compliance with the label. None of the available studies refer to the Italian market, which ranks first in Europe in the consumption of food supplements. In this present communication, a quality control of fish-oil-based supplements from the Italian market was carried out for the first time. With minor deviations, all results showed substantial agreement with the label. However, the most important conclusion from this research is that compliance with the label is not enough to judge a product of good quality. The analysis of the overall fatty acid composition showed that some supplements have a high level of saturated fatty acids, and therefore they did not undergo a proper purification process. This may represent a safety issue since the purification process also allows the removal of toxic contaminants.

Rapeseed meal (RSM), a by-product of oilseed extraction connected to the agri-food and biofuel sectors, is currently used as animal feed and for other low-value purposes. With a biorefinery approach, RSM could be valorized as a source of bio-based molecules for high-value applications. This study provides a chemical characterization of RSM in the perspective of its valorization. A qualitative study of main functional groups by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was integrated with a chemical characterization of macronutrients, minerals by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), phenolic acids and lipid components by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), HPLC-diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionization detector (GC-MS/FID). The study, conducted on different lots of RSM collected over a one-year period from an oil pressing factory serving a biofuel biorefinery, highlighted a constant quality over time of RSM, characterized by high protein (31–34%), fiber (33–40%) and mineral (5.5–6.8%) contents. Polyphenol extracts showed a significant antioxidant activity and a prevalence of sinapic acid, accounting for more than 85% of total phenolic acids (395–437 mg kg−1 RSM). Results highlight the potentialities of RSM for further valorization strategies that may lead to the creation of new cross-sector interconnections and bio-based value chains with improvement of the economics and sustainability of the bioeconomy sectors involved.

First-generation biofuel biorefineries may be a starting point for the development of new value chains, as their by-products and side streams retain nutrients and valuable molecules that may be recovered and valorized for high-value applications. This study provides a chemical characterization of post-fermentation corn oil and thin stillage, side streams of dry-grind corn bioethanol production, in view of their valorization. An overall long-term study was conducted on the two co-products collected over 1 year from a bioethanol plant. Water content, acid value, sedimentation, mineral composition, and fatty acid profiles were analyzed on post-fermentation corn oil. Results highlighted that its acid value was high (19.72–24.29 mg KOH/g), indicating high levels of free fatty acids, but stable over the year due to standardized operating conditions. The fatty acid profile was that typical of corn oil, with a prevalence of linoleic (54–59% of total fatty acids) over oleic (23–27%) and palmitic (12–17%) acids. Macronutrients, fatty acid, and mineral profiles were investigated in thin stillage. Results revealed the acidic pH (4.05–4.68) and high dilution (90–93% water) of this side stream. The dry mass was composed of fats (19–30%), proteins (8.8–12.8%), ash (8.7–9.5%), and fiber (7.3–9.8%). The concomitant presence of a variegate complex of molecules of nutritional interest in corn bioethanol co-products, with several potential high-value market applications, make the perspective of their recovery a promising strategy to create new cross-sector interconnections according to circular economy principles.

Organochlorines are common toxic contaminants in the food chain, especially in aquatic biota, thus leading the world population to undesired exposures. The chemical analyses of such trace pollutants may represent a challenge: if not properly conducted, they could suffer from great uncertainties. In the present work, a new candidate reference material of oyster tissue was analyzed for the content of organochlorines. This was done within the H2020 project PRO-METROFOOD to which 17 European Countries participated. Our laboratory strictly applied the international guidelines on the subject. Even by following the recommended guidelines, however, it is difficult to analyze some Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs). The chromatographic coelution of Polychlorobiphenyls with the same degree of chlorination or coelutions between Polychlorobiphenyls different for one chlorine only (isobaric interferences), for example, is to be cited. For a reliable quantification, therefore, we usefully exploited some innovative findings recently made by us in the field of mass spectrometry: they allowed to achieve an optimum accuracy in the case of isobaric interferences so ensuring that a correct food safety assessment is carried out. When Polychlorobiphenyls are analyzed, there are a number of good reasons for maintaining the use of the electron capture detection (ECD) in combination with the mass spectrometry. However, the present study highlights the limits and the critical points of the approach using ECD only, as many laboratories do.

Biomass from five microalgal species, Porphyridium cruentum, Isochrysis galbana , Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis gaditana, produced at an industrial plant in outdoor photobioreactors, was studied with the aim to evaluate their suitability to the food and nutraceutical sectors. Microalgal biomass was analyzed for proximates, nonprotein nitrogen, energy, fatty acids, minerals, trace elements and mercury contents. Proximate analyses showed wide differences among microalgal species, in accordance with their different taxonomic position, especially as regards protein (19.6–33.2% dry mass), carbohydrate (15.9–42.2% dry mass) and lipid (5.7–31.1% dry mass) contents. All species proved to be a good source of minerals and trace elements and of polyunsaturated fatty acids (47.4–59.1% of total fatty acids) with varying profiles. N-3 fatty acids were prevalent in P. tricornutum , N. gaditana , I. galbana and T. suecica (32.6–36.4% of total fatty acids), whereas n-6 fatty acids, mainly arachidonic (C20:4) and linoleic (C18:2) acids, were prevalent in P. cruentum (43.3% of total fatty acids). N. gaditana , P. tricornutum , and P. cruentum were rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (36.0, 29.3%, and 15.9% of total fatty acids, respectively), while I. galbana was a good source of stearidonic (C18:4, 12.2% of total fatty acids) and docosahexaenoic (9.0% of total fatty acids) acids, undetectable or present at low levels in the other species. I galbana and T. suecica showed also high percentages of α-linolenic acid (C18:3, 12.2%–15.7% of total fatty acids). All microalgae were characterized by good nutrient contents and confirmed to be potentially valuable ingredients for nutritional or nutraceutical purposes.

This study investigated mercury contamination levels in eight commercially valuable crustacean species caught off the Central Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy. Total mercury levels were measured by Thermal Decomposition-Amalgamation-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results showed a high variability among species with values ranging from 0.070 to 1.24 (mg kg-1 wet weight). The lowest mercury levels were detected in caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus), warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa) and European spider crab (Maja squinado), decapods living in shallow waters. Levels exceeding the limits established by the European Commission were found in species living in close contact with bottom sediments: deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). For shrimps, the inter-individual variability observed was mostly related to the body size, indicating the accumulation of mercury with age. An estimation of the human intake of mercury associated to the consumption of the crustaceans sampled and its comparison with the Tolerable Weekly Intake are provided.

In seafood products, trimethylamine (TMA) is an indicator of the conservation status. It is almost absent in freshly caught samples, and its content increases during spoilage. In the present work, a new simple GC-FID method that uses a commercial capillary column, specifically designed, was applied. TMA was measured at increasing time intervals in four marine species caught in the Tyrrhenian Sea and stored in ice; 852 individuals were analyzed. An assessment of the maximum allowable time of storage in ice was made for each species. Existing guidelines for the level of trimethylamine are reviewed and discussed.

Total mercury levels were measured in 42 commercial fish species caught off the Central Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy and in 6 aquaculture species. The study on wild fish covered species differing in living habitat and trophic level. The study on farmed fish covered marine and freshwater species from intensive and extensive aquaculture and their feed. Mercury levels were analysed by thermal decomposition-amalgamation-atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total mercury concentrations in the muscle of wild fish showed a high variability among species (0.025-2.20mgkg(-1) wet weight). The lowest levels were detected in low trophic-level demersal and pelagic-neritic fish and in young individuals of high trophic-level species. Levels exceeding the European Commission limits were found in large-size specimens of high trophic-level pelagic and demersal species. Fish from intensive farming showed low levels of total mercury (0.008-0.251mgkg(-1)). Fish from extensive rearing showed variable contamination levels, depending on the area of provenience. An estimation of the human intake of mercury associated to the consumption of the studied fish and its comparison with the tolerable weekly intake is provided.

Proximate composition, unsaponifiable lipid components (cholesterol, squalene, tocopherols, all-trans retinol, total carotenoids) and fatty acid profile were evaluated on red mullet (Mullus barbatus) caught in the Central Tyrrhenian and Central Adriatic seas (Italy). The study was conducted in spring, the reproduction period, and in autumn, the period of maximum recruitment and market demand for this species. Results showed that, in fish from both sites, protein (18.1-18.8 g 100 g(-1)), nonprotein nitrogen (0.32-0.35 g 100 g(-1)), ash (1.27-1.42 g 100 g(-1)) and cholesterol (56.8-73.7 mg 100 g(-1)) contents were almost stable. Total lipid levels were highly variable, with very low levels in spring (0.96-1.48 g 100 g(-1)) and high levels in autumn (7.28-8.72 g 100 g(-1)). On a total fatty acids basis, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were significantly higher in spring (30-40% of total fatty acids), when fish was lean, than in autumn (20%), while monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher in autumn (35-38%) than in spring (18-29%). Saturated fatty acids were almost stable throughout the year (34-39% of total fatty acids). Red mullet from the two sites showed a good nutritional value; in particular they proved to be a good source of n-3 PUFA, which accounted for 75-80% of total PUFA, regardless of the fishing season. However, it was in autumn that red mullet exhibited the highest content of n-3 PUFA (>1000 mg 100 g(-1) wet fillet). The comparison of samples by geographical origin showed no difference in autumn, while slight differences were observed in spring. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

When fatty acids in fish are analyzed, results in percentage form (profile analysis) are mostly reported. However, the much more useful results expressed as mg/100 g (absolute analysis) is the main information required. Absolute methods based on calibration curves are of good accuracy but with a high degree of complexity if applied to a great number of analytes. Procedures based on the sequence profile analysis–total FA determination–absolute analysis may be suitable for routine use, but suffer from a number of uncertainties that have never been really resolved. These uncertainties are mainly related to the profile analysis. In fact, most profile analyses reported in the literature disagree about the number and type of fatty acids monitored as well as about the total percentage to assign to their sum so leading to possible inaccuracies; in addition the instrumental response factor for all FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) is often considered as a constant, but this is not exactly true. In this work, a set of 24 fatty acids was selected and studied on 12 fish species in the Mediterranean area (variable in lipid content and month of sampling): in our results, and in these species, this set constitutes, on average, 90 ± 3 % of the total fatty acid content. Moreover the error derived from the assumption of a unique response factor was investigated. Two different detection techniques (GC-FID and GC–MS) together with two capillary columns (different in length and polarity) were used in order to acquire complementary data on the same sample. With the protocol here proposed absolute analyses on the 12 cited species are easily achievable by the total FA determination procedure. The accuracy of this approach is good in general, but in some cases (DHA for example) is lower than the accuracy of calibration-based methods. The differences were evaluated on a case by case basis.

This study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional properties of bogue (Boops boops) and horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), fish species present throughout the Mediterranean and highly represented in the catch of the Italian trawl fishery. In Italy such fish species are scarcely known by consumers and are not sought-after on the market, especially when the fish are small. Proximates, unsaponifiables and fatty acid profile of bogue and horse mackerel caught by trawlers in different seasons of the year along the southern Adriatic coast of Italy were evaluated. Results showed that both species were characterised by good protein contents (18–20g/100g) and low lipid (1–2g/100g) and cholesterol (50–70mg/100g) levels at any season considered. Along with α-tocopherol (0.45–0.70mg/100g), δ-tocopherol was found at a lower level (0.04–0.09mg/100g) while no detectable amounts of the γ-isomer were observed in either species. The fatty acid profiles of horse mackerel and bogue exhibited a seasonal fluctuation. They were characterised by high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), ranging from about 30% of total fatty acids in summer to more than 40% of total fatty acids in spring and winter, and by high n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio values (4.4–6.8 for bogue, 7.4–8.2 for horse mackerel). On a quantitative basis, in bogue total n-3 PUFA amounted to 0.29–0.43g out of 0.33–0.54g of total PUFA per 100g wet fillet. In horse mackerel total n-3 PUFA ranged between 0.37g and 0.43g/100g and total PUFA between 0.41 and 0.49g/100g wet fillet. The atherogenic (0.46–0.63) and thrombogenic (0.22–0.38) indexes calculated on bogue and horse mackerel were comparable to those of fish species of higher commercial value. The nutritional properties of these underutilised species may be considered comparable to those of other low-fat fish species from the wild and also from aquaculture present on the Italian market and meeting consumers’ preferences.