Chemical quality and sensory profile of the Mediterranean farmed fish shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa) as affected by its dietary protein/fat levels

Abstract

Two groups of identically-reared shi drum, having received different diets (Group A: 45% protein and 16% fat and Group B: 48% protein and 12% fat), were compared for their yields and their chemical and sensory quality. They exhibited similar dressing and filleting yields, fat deposit and fillet composition. Differences were observed in the fillet fatty acids, with group B exhibiting higher 16:1ω-7, 16:1ω-9, 16:0, 18:0, and total saturate contents. Their fillet volatile compounds also differed (group A, in particular, contained higher levels of carbonyl-compounds). A triangle test revealed that the two shi drum groups were perceived as sensory different. A Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) test showed that group A (high dietary lipids) was perceived as having a significantly higher ‘fish oil’ aroma, hardness and elasticity, while group B was characterised mainly by higher ‘sweet taste’, higher ‘hay’ and ‘fresh seaweed’ aroma and ‘crab/prawn’ flavour.

Keywords:

• Fish quality
• fatty acids
• volatile compounds
• sensory analysis
• fish diet

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding

This work was partially funded by the NSRF 2007–2013, Operational programme Education and Lifelong Learning, Co-financed by the EU.

Compliance with ethical standards/requirements

Fish rearing was in compliance with the Federation of Greek Mariculture (FGM) code of conduct/European Code of Conduct with respect to the farmed organism, the environment and the consumer, and Council Directive 98/58/EC. All fish were harvested according to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommended procedures and specifically Food Safety considerations concerning the species-specific welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing of farmed fish (10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1190) and Species-specific welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing of farmed Seabass and Seabream (10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1010).