Case study on depuration of RAS-produced pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) for removal of geosmin and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and its impact on sensory quality

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Effect of depuration on content of geosmin in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) produced in a commercial RAS farm was examined during a 15-day period. Concentrations of geosmin in the fish were related to geosmin content in the water. For depuration, half of the water volume in a 230 m3 production tank was replaced daily with geosmin-free water. After 8 days of depuration and absence of feeding, content of geosmin in the fish was reduced from 710 ± 245 ng/kg to 165 ± 50 ng/kg (mean ± SD, p < .01). Additional depuration for 7 days only reduced the geosmin content to 135 ± 24 ng/kg. Geosmin concentration in the water was initially 34 ng/L but declined to 10 ng/L after 15 days. Changes in geosmin concentrations in water of the depuration tank indicated that geosmin was released by the fish during the depuration. In addition to removal of geosmin, the depuration also decreased concentrations of 28 different volatile compounds from the fish. Sensory analysis showed decrease in intensity of geosmin flavor upon depuration and improved the overall sensory quality of the fish after 2 weeks of depuration. Our study shows that geosmin and other off-flavors in pikeperch from RAS production can efficiently be removed to be a level that is below the threshold to most consumers.
Original languageEnglish
Article number735754
JournalAquaculture
Volume530
Number of pages9
ISSN0044-8486
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

ID: 245319608