[Fish in renal patient's diet: phosphorus: n-3 fatty acids ratio]

To identify between 24 marine fish species the most beneficial to renal patient evaluating its phosphorus:n-3 fatty acids ratio.

15 fishes of each specie were randomly selected; they were filleted and homogenized to take 100 g to carry out the chemical analysis by triplicate. Crude protein (Pr) was analyzed in kjeltec equipment. Potassium and calcium was detected by atomic absorption and phosphorus (P) in an UV/ Visible spectrophotometer.

Crude protein (g/100 g) values varied from 15 (pompano) up to 28.2 (big head tile-fish). The fishes with highest (P) (mg/100 g) content were pompano (287), Spanish mackerel (274), king mackerel (257), big head tile-fish (255) and pacific barracuda (252). The specie with the lowest ratio (P): n-3 PUFA was slender frostfish (0.09), followed by albacore (0.17), king mackerel (0.40) and Spanish mackerel; the highest was blue bobo (45.20). Fishes with a high n-3 PUFA/g Pr content were albacore (71.20), king mackerel (35.96), Spanish mackerel (32.50) and rooster hind (2.76). Differences were significant (p < 0.05), in (P) content, in fishes classified by the fat content in muscle (mg P/100 g): lean fishes (193), semi fatty fishes (235) and fatty fishes (244).

None of the following fishes are recommended in renal patient's diet by it lowest contribution of n-3PUFA/g of Pr: blue bobo, yellowedge grouper, parrot sandbass. It is suggested to include chilhuil sea catfish, broomtail grouper, yellow tail snapper, southern flounder, parrot sand bass and big head tilefish by their low content of P/g Pr. The following species included regularly in the diet at least thrice a week could be considered beneficial to the general health status of patients.