Natural Chemical Composition of Commercial Fish Species: Characterisation of Pangasius, Wild and Farmed Turbot and Barramundi

Abstract

To comply with the relevant legal requirements and correct labelling, it is necessary for business operators and inspection authorities to know the natural characteristics of the raw material. This study gives a comprehensive overview of muscle flesh composition of farmed and wild Atlantic turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and of farmed pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). The proximate composition, di- and triphosphates and citric acid values are presented in order to evaluate possible indicators for a hidden treatment during processing to fillets. All moisture contents were ≤80%. Even for pangasius, protein values for deep skinned fillets of ≥18% were determined. Only small quantities of naturally occurring citric acid (up to 0.03 g·kg−1) were detectable. The lipid content was the most varying main component within the different species, ranging between 1.2% to 2.0% and 0.3% to 3.0% for farmed turbot and barramundi, respectively. Pangasius flesh had a mean lipid content of 7.8%. Trimming and separation of the red layer reduced the lipid content of the commercially sold white-flesh fillets to 2.7% to 3.5%. Fatty acids profiles, free amino acids, and minerals were analysed to show the nutritional quality of the aquaculture fish species and compared to wild turbot and barramundi. Despite some natural variation, these components can be considered as comparable.

Nutritional quality of amino acid in farmed, farm‐aggregated and wild Axillary seabream ( Pagellus acarne ) with implications to Human Health

“…On contrast to our findings and earlier reports mentioned above, Baki, Gönener, and Kaya (), Manthey‐Karl et al () and Jiang et al () reported higher levels of EAAs in farmed seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ), turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus ) and red tail ( Chanodichthys mongolicus ), respectively, versus wild‐caught individuals. Manthey‐Karl et al () investigated different fish species from various regions and culture conditions such as Spain, Chile and Vietnam with comparison of farmed versus wild fish. The authors reported variations in amino acid pattern among turbot cultured in different countries (Spain and Chile) and those captured from the Atlantic Ocean.…”

“…Our findings in the present study in terms of higher total essential amino acids (∑EAA) and lower total non‐essential amino acids (∑NEAA) in wild axillary seabream versus farmed or farm‐aggregated fish are in agreement with earlier reports in meagre ( Argyrosomus regius , Saavedra et al, ), ussuri catfish ( Pseudobagrus ussuriensis , Wang et al, ), beluga sturgeon ( Huso huso , Hamzeh et al, ), barramundi ( Lates calcarifer , Manthey‐Karl, Lehmann, Ostermeyer, & Schröder, ). On contrast to our findings and earlier reports mentioned above, Baki, Gönener, and Kaya (), Manthey‐Karl et al () and Jiang et al () reported higher levels of EAAs in farmed seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ), turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus ) and red tail ( Chanodichthys mongolicus ), respectively, versus wild‐caught individuals. Manthey‐Karl et al () investigated different fish species from various regions and culture conditions such as Spain, Chile and Vietnam with comparison of farmed versus wild fish.…”

“…Our findings in the present study in terms of higher total essential amino acids (∑EAA) and lower total non-essential amino acids (∑NEAA) in wild axillary seabream versus farmed or farm-aggregated fish are in agreement with earlier reports in meagre (Argyrosomus regius, Saavedra et al, 2017), ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis, Wang et al, 2014), beluga sturgeon (Huso huso, Hamzeh et al, 2015), barramundi (Lates calcarifer, Manthey-Karl, Lehmann, Ostermeyer, & Schröder, 2016). On contrast to our findings and earlier reports mentioned above, Baki, Gönener, and Kaya (2015), Manthey-Karl et al In regards to the findings in the present study, the ratios of total essential amino acids to total amino acid levels (∑EAA/∑AA; 44.3%…”

“…The authors reported variations in amino acid pattern among turbot cultured in different countries (Spain and Chile) and those captured from the Atlantic Ocean. Further Manthey‐Karl et al () also reported different levels of amino acid compositions for wild versus farmed barramundi in Vietnam and Australia. These findings of Manthey‐Karl et al (), along with the support of Wang et al () who underlined the relation between environmental conditions such as water quality parameters or storage time, with the amino acids pattern may explain the discrepancies among amino acid compositions of various fish species from different regions and conditions.…”

Impact of dietary starch on extrahepatic tissue lipid metabolism in farmed European (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

“…In aquaculture, excess fat deposition in the muscle has been mainly attributed to environmental and/or nutritional factors that promote lipid retention, such as temperature (Cordier et al, 2002;Ibarz et al, 2007;Moreira et al, 2008), unbalanced FA profiles in fish feed (Izquierdo et al, 2003), and starch (Alvarez et al, 1999;Castro et al, 2015b;Dias et al, 1998;Lanari et al, 1999;Messina et al, 2013), respectively. As the edible fraction of the fish, this tissue is also under permanent scrutiny by the consumer who associates visible fat depots with fish of "inferior" quality, especially if compared with wild fish (Grigorakis, 2007;Manthey-Karl et al, 2016;Vidal et al, 2012). Excess fat deposition around the viscera decreases yields for producers and appeal for consumers.…”