Aquaculture Research, 2001, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 Flesh quality ± the role of nutrition é Lie Institute of Nutrition, Directorate of Fisheries, P.O. Box 185 Sentrum N-5804 Bergen, Norway Correspondence: éyvind Lie, Institute of Nutrition, Directorate of Fisheries, P.Box 185 Sentrum N-5804 Bergen, Norway. E-mail: Oyvind.lie@nutr.®skeridir.no Abstract Product quality includes a variety of aspects (Fig. 1), with both biological and nonbiological causes and parameters. Fish nutrition has an important impact on several parameters directly in¯uencing the quality of the ®sh, such as colour and appearance, smell and taste, texture, nutritional quality, shelf life, and level of contaminants. Further, consumers (market) are becoming more concerned about how the ®sh are produced, which type of feed ingredients are used and other issues. Authorities in different countries have an increased focus on food safety and traceability of the production from egg to plate (for ®sh farming). The need for improved knowledge of ®sh nutrition is therefore of great importance. The present paper presents an overview of the role of ®sh nutrition on ¯esh quality. Keywords: ®sh nutrition, product quality Colour and appearance Product freshness and appearance are important quality parameters (Fig. 1); however, ®sh nutrition plays a minor role and therefore these characteristics will not be discussed in this paper. The characteristic red or pink pigmentation of the ®llet of salmonids is an important quality parameter and the supplementation of dietary carotenoids to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) represents a relative high proportion of the feed costs (Torrissen, Christiansen, Struksnñs & Estermann 1995). Dietary astaxanthin is poorly absorbed and retained in the muscle of salmonids; only 10%±15% of ã 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd dietary intake is retained in the ®llet (Torrissen, Hardy & Shearer 1989; Storebakken & no. 1992). Several factors in¯uence astaxanthin deposition in the ®llet: dietary source (Foss, Storebakken, Austreng & Liaaen-Jensen 1987; Storebakken, Foss, Schiedt, Austreng, Liaaen-Jensen & Manz 1987) and dietary level of astaxanthin (Torrissen 1985; Storebakken et al. 1987; Torrissen et al. 1989; Choubert & Storebakken 1989). In a study with Atlantic salmon where the dietary level of astaxanthin ranged from 0 to 200 mg kg±1, Torrissen et al. (1995) reported that no signi®cant effects on ®llet deposition were achieved by increasing the astaxanthin level above 60 mg kg dry feed± 1 . The authors further claimed that to obtain maximal astaxanthin level in the ®llet, Atlantic salmon should have a dietary supply of astaxanthin during the whole sea water stage, rather than just at the ®nal phase of production. The absorption of astaxanthin is positively affected by high dietary lipid level (Torrissen, Hardy, Shearer, Scott & Stone 1990; Bjerkeng, Refstie, Fjalestad, Storebakken, Rùdbotten & Roem 1997a), whereas in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) the presence of the z-isomers of astaxanthin has been reported to hamper the relative bioavailability of astaxanthin (Bjerkeng, Fùlling, Lagocki, Storebakken, Olli & Alsted 1997b; ésterlie, Bjerkeng & Liaan-Jensen 1999). Further, dietary a-tocopherol is claimed to enhance the deposition of canthaxanthin in rainbow trout (Pozo, Lavety & Love 1988), although Jensen, Birk, Jokumsen, Skibsted & Bertelsen (1998) were not able to demonstrate a similar effect with dietarya-tocopheryl acetate. Recently. Bjerkeng, Hatlen & Wathne (1999a) reported from an experiment 341 Flesh quality ± the role of nutrition é Lie Aquaculture Research, 2001, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 Figure 1 Schematic overview of parameters important for ¯esh quality. with Atlantic salmon a bene®cial effect of dietary atocopherol on ®llet deposition of astaxanthin. The dietary levels of a-tocopherol used were 200, 400 and 800 mg kg±1 for each level of astaxanthin (30 and 50 mg kg±1 added); however, the authors pointed out that the effect was rather small. Texture Texture is one of the main quality parameters for fresh salmon (Sigurgisladottir, Torrissen, Lie, Thomassen & Hafsteinsson 1997). Texture of ®sh is de®ned by its dryness, chewiness and juiciness and is traditionally determined in conjunction with ¯avour characteristics. It is commonly tested in the industry by the `®nger method', which to a large extent depends on the subjective evaluation of the person who does the test. However, instruments for the determination of texture are becoming more commonly used (Sigurgisladottir et al. 1997) and different methods of analysis have recently been evaluated (Sigurgisladottir, Hafsteinsson, Jonsson, Lie, Nortvedt, Thomassen & Torrissen 1999). Lipid content and distribution have consequences for textural properties. Faergemand, Ronsholdt, Alsted & Borresen (1995) found in an experiment with rainbow trout that the ®llet level of lipids could be increased by 20% without any affect on the texture measurement. The instrumental measurements of texture (Instron Universal Testing Machine) were veri®ed by sensory analyses. According to Andersen, Thomassen & Rora (1997), ®llets from rainbow trout fed high-lipid diets were evaluated as softer than ®llets from ®sh fed a low-lipid diet. These results were based on instrumental measurements 342 Figure 2 Routes of contaminants of farmed ®sh. (Instron, Mass., USA). According to Sigurgisladottir, Parrish, Lall & Ackman (1994a), dietary levels of pigment and tocopherol did not affect ®llet texture of Atlantic salmon. Nevertheless, there is little information about the role of ®sh nutrition on the texture of ®sh ®llets. In the last few years, gaping has been a quality problem with farmed salmon (Fig. 2). After smoking, gaping has caused dif®culties with slicing of the ®llet. Many reasons for gaping have been discussed, such as high-energy diets, fast growth and changes in muscle collagen structure during chilled storage; however, the mechanism(s) causing these problems are still unknown. Several studies have focused on the role of collagen on texture (Sato, Yoshinaka, Sato & Shimizu 1986; Hatae, Tobimatsu, Takeyama, & Matsumoto 1986). Fish are often stored for several days on ice before being used; studies have shown that ®sh ®llets soften after 1 day of chilled storage (Montero & Borderias 1990; Ando, Toyohara, Shimizu & Sakaguchi 1991a; Sato, Ohashi, Ohtsuki & Kawabata 1991). Furthermore, ã 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd, Aquaculture Research, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 Aquaculture Research, 2001, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 it has been demonstrated by histological studies that rapid softening of ®sh ®llets is caused by disintegration of thin collagen ®brils (Hallet & Bremner 1988; Ando, Toyohara, Shimizu & Sakaguchi 1991b; Ando, Toyohara & Sakaguchi 1992). Type I and V collagen has been identi®ed in connective tissue from several ®sh species (Sato, Yoshinaka, Sato, Itoh & Shimizu 1988; Sato, Yoshinaka, Itoh & Sato 1989a; Sato, Yoshinaka, Sato, & Tomita 1989b; Sato et al. 1991; Sato, Sakuma, Ohtsuki & Kamabata 1994a; Sato, Koike, Yoshinaka, Sato, & Shimizu 1994b; Aidos, Lie & Espe 1999). A study by Sato et al. (1991) indicates that type V collagen is involved in the rapid softening of ®sh muscle. Collagen ®bres of Atlantic salmon have a high solubility in acid and salt and contain few crosslinks, and some of these links seem to be cleaved during storage on ice (Eckhoff, Aidos, Hemre & Lie 1998). In a recent study of collagen in Atlantic salmon no signi®cant differences in solubility of types I and V during storage were found (Aidos et al. 1999). However, seasonal differences in solubilities of collagen were found (acid soluble, pepsin soluble and insoluble collagen) in connective tissues from Atlantic salmon (Espe, personal communication, 2001). Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms behind the problem of gaping. Dietary lipid level Wild ®sh tend to be leaner than farmed ®sh (Haard 1992); however, large variations due to size, nutritional status and season do occur. Dietary lipids and retention of lipids, particularly in the ®llet, are often parameters discussed in connection with quality. For farmed ®sh the relationship between dietary lipids and deposition of fat in the ®llet has been studied for several species. In a study with white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) Hung, Storebakken, Cui, Tian & Einen (1997) reported that dietary lipid levels between 26% and 36% gave good growth without major effects on body composition, whereas 40% dietary lipid lowered speci®c growth rate and increased levels of liver lipids. However, they found no differences in lipid content of the whole body of ®sh fed the different dietary lipid levels. Vergara, Lopez-Calero, Robaina, Caballero, Montero, Izquierdo & Aksnes (1999) reported a study with gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fed three different lipid levels (15%, 22% and 28%) combined with two qualities of ®sh meal, a Flesh quality ± the role of nutrition é Lie signi®cant increase in growth with increasing dietary lipids. A signi®cant increase in total body lipid content was only seen in the ®sh fed the high-quality ®sh meal and 28% lipid. It has been suggested that the dietary lipid level for Atlantic halibut should be optimised at a level near 40% of the diet sometime before slaughtering (Nortvedt & Tuene 1998). Ê sgaÊrd (1998) Hillestad, Johnsen, Austreng & A reported from two experiments with Atlantic salmon, where the ®sh were fed two dietary lipid levels (22% and 30%) in isocaloric diets at two feeding rates for the whole sea rearing period (0.2±0.3 kg to 3±4 kg). No signi®cant differences in growth between the two diets at the same feeding range were found. The lipid content in cutlets and dressed carcasses were signi®cantly affected by feeding rate but not by dietary lipid level. In an recent experiment with Atlantic salmon fed 31%, 38% and 47% dietary lipid where the ®sh grew from 1.2 kg to 2.2±2.7 kg, a signi®cantly improved growth was found in ®sh fed either the 38% or 47% lipid diet compared with the 31% lipid diet (Hemre & Sandnes 1999). There was an increase of ®llet fat (wet weight) level from 7.7% to 12% and 16%, respectively, with an increase in the dietary lipid level. Correlated for weight there was a positive correlation between dietary lipid and lipid content of the ®llet. Although there are several studies showing that the deposition on fat is dependent on the level of dietary lipid, the optimum (maximum) dietary level of lipids in diets for the different farmed ®sh species regarding ®llet quality has not yet been clearly de®ned. Furthermore, lipids are not homogenously distributed throughout the ®llet in ®sh species having high lipid levels in the ®llet-like salmon (Lie & Huse 1992; Nortvedt & Tuene 1998). There is a need for a more basic understanding of the lipid metabolism of ®sh. According to Frùyland, Madsen, Eckhoff, Lie & Berge (1998), Atlantic salmon seem to possess a high capacity to utilise dietary lipid as an energy source based on carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT-II) activity and palmitoyl-L-carnitine oxidation. Furthermore, results suggest that an increased dietary level of lipids increase the mitochondrial b-oxidation of Atlantic salmon (Frùyland et al., unpublished). ã 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd, Aquaculture Research, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 343 Flesh quality ± the role of nutrition é Lie Aquaculture Research, 2001, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 Factors other than dietary lipid level in¯uence lipid deposition in ®sh. Garcia-Gallego & Akharbach (1998) found that the dietary lipid level in¯uenced the level of lipids in the muscle of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and that there was a direct relationship between ®sh size and fat content of the eel. Earlier Lie, Hemre & Lambertsen (1990) reported that ®llets of small wild-caught European eel contained 12.4% lipid, ®llets of market-size wild eel contained 21.7% lipid, whereas ®llet of fed marked-size eel contained 28% Ê sgaÊrd, & Berglund lipid. Johansson, Kiessling, A (1995) reported from an experiment with rainbow trout that the ®llet lipid content related strongly to the ration level, and ®nally Aksnes (1995) found that increased dietary level of carbohydrate (®xed lipid level) gave increased storage of lipids in the ®llet and in the abdominal fat of Atlantic salmon. Nutritional quality Nutritional quality of food is related to its content of nutrients and their bioavailability. The fact that there is a link between diet and human health has increased consumers' interests in healthy food and thereby the nutritional quality of food. Fish is an excellent source of protein and ®sh lipid has received much attention for its content of n-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, high-lipid ®sh are the only natural source of vitamin D and ®sh in general provide a number of B vitamins as well as a number of minerals and trace elements. In the farming of ®sh it is important to achieve the same nutritional quality as wild ®sh and further improve this quality aspect. acid composition of the ®llets of several ®sh species (Steffens 1997; Brodtkorb, Rosenlund & Lie 1997; Dosanjh, Higgs, McKenzie, Randall, Eales, Rowshandeli, Rowshandeli & Deacon 1998; Bjerkeng, Hatlen & Wathne 1999b). For several species it is possible to produce a ®sh ®llet with a more or less de®ned level of n-3 fatty acids. However, how changes in the fatty acid composition of the main phospholipids (PC and PE) affect quality aspects connected to freezing, thawing and leaching of ®llets remains to be elucidated. Vitamins, minerals and trace elements The deposition of lipid-soluble vitamins seems to be dependent on dietary level. This has been demonstrated for vitamin D (Mattila, Piironen, Haapala, Hirvi & UusiRauva 1997; Horvli, Aksnes & Lie 1998) and vitamin E (Bai & Gatlin 1993; Sigurgisladottir, Parrish, Ackman & Lall 1994b; Hamre & Lie 1997), whereas information regarding vitamins A and K and water-soluble vitamin deposition seems to be scarce. There is some information regarding dietary levels of mineral and trace elements. Lorentzen, Maage & Julshamn (1994) reported that dietary selenite was poorly deposited in the ®llet, whereas selenomethionine was deposited. Furthermore, dietary zinc and iron (added as sulphates) seem not to be deposited in the ®sh ®llet (Maage & Julshamn 1993; Bjùrnevik & Maage 1993). However, knowledge regarding nutritional quality, except for fatty acids, is limited and more work is needed to utilize the possibilities to design different nutritional qualities of ®sh ®llet to match consumer expectations. Dietary fatty acids The fatty acid composition of tissue lipids is the momentary net result of complex dynamic interrelationships of a number of factors, the details of which are not fully understood. The major factors are: dietary fatty acids intakes; rates of oxidative catabolism of the fatty acids; kinetics of desaturation and elongation reactions; and competitive incorporation and retroconversions among fatty acids. Fish is unique as a food item in that it provides longchain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In farmed ®sh the fatty acid composition as well as other ®llet lipids may be altered by feeding. There are numerous studies that have demonstrated the in¯uence of the dietary fatty acids on the fatty 344 Oxidative stability Oxidation of ®sh lipids is a major quality problem; the primary decrease in quality observed during oxidation is due to the production of off-¯avour compounds. The oxidation process can also lower nutritional quality and modify texture and colour. In ®sh tissue, there a number of naturally present components that can serve as pro-oxidants or antioxidants. The main function of tocopherols is to protect unsaturated lipids in living tissues against free radical-mediated oxidation. Fish ®llets enriched with vitamin E (increased dietary level) have in some studies showed higher oxidative stability during fresh and frozen storage (Boggio, Hardy, ã 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd, Aquaculture Research, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 Aquaculture Research, 2001, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 Flesh quality ± the role of nutrition é Lie Figure 3 Example of gaping in the ®llet of Atlantic salmon. Babbitt & Brannon 1985; Frigg, Prabucki & Ruhdel 1990; Waagbù, Sandnes, Torrissen, Sandvin & Lie 1993; Bai & Gatlin 1993; Hamre & Lie 1997; Santana & Mancini 2000). There has been some discussion about which of the tocopherols are most effective antioxidants: a-tocopherol is the most frequently used; however, g- and d-tocopherols are claimed to be better antioxidants (Frankel 1996). A recent study with Atlantic salmon concluded that a-tocopherol is preferred for protection of the ®llet against lipid oxidation due to faster excretion of gand d-tocopherols from the ®sh body (Hamre, Berge & Lie 1998). Food safety Food safety is a topic receiving increasing focus in many countries, often in connection with ®sh farming. Dietary composition as well as environmental factors are important parameters regarding contaminants in farmed ®sh (Fig. 3). Contaminants are general highly stable, bioaccumulated, acutely toxic at high concentrations and chronically toxic at low concentrations. Examples of contaminants are heavy metals and other inorganic elements (Hg, Cd, As, Cu, etc.), organic contaminants (Dioxin, PCB, etc.) and radioactive isotopes (cesium, technesium, etc.). There are maximum allowable limits in food and feed for some contaminants, and there are ongoing processes for setting limits for a range of contaminants. Fillets are in general the last target organ for dietary metal deposition. Dietary metals will initially be deposited in the intestine, kidney and liver. Contamination of ®llets is therefore unlikely to occur. However, only a life-cycle experiment can give real information on the exact ®llet dietary Table 1 Dioxin content in ®sh ®llet ng WHO-TEQ/kg wet.wt. Atlantic salmon Herring Sprat Sandeel Chicken 0.47±1.01 0.66 0.41 0.26 0.13 metal loading. The nonessential metal cadmium (Cd) has a low bioavailability. Recent experiments with Atlantic salmon have demonstrated that only 2%±3% of dietary Cd is retained in the carcasses of ®sh fed elevated dietary levels and it takes a long time before dietary Cd starts to accumulate in the ®llet (Berntssen, Lundebye & Maage 1999). The uptake of dietary copper (an essential metal) is well down-regulated at the intestinal level, and the retention of excess dietary Cu is therefore low (Berntssen et al. 1999). Dioxins have been a focus in Europe the last year due to the ®ndings of very high levels in chicken feed. Dioxins (PCDD, polychlorinated dibenzo-pdioxins and PCDF, polychlorinated-di benzofurans) are a large group of compounds (at least 210) with variable stability and toxicity. They are extremely acutely toxic to certain mammals, although large species differences exist. LD50 for the guinea pig is reported to be 0.6±2 mg g body weight±1, whereas LD50 is reported to be 1150±5050 mg g body weight±1 for hamsters. The information regarding dioxin levels in ®sh and particular farmed ®sh are scarce (some examples are given in Table 1). Furthermore, retention studies of dietary dioxins in farmed ®sh are not yet published. ã 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd, Aquaculture Research, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 345 Flesh quality ± the role of nutrition é Lie Aquaculture Research, 2001, 32 (Suppl. 1), 341±348 To summarize, ®sh nutrition has an important role in regulating ¯esh quality of farmed ®sh, and it will even be more important in the future, particular within tailor-made products and food safety. References Aidos I., Lie é. & Espe M. (1999) Collagen content in Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 4, 1440±1444. Aksnes A. (1995) Growth, feed ef®ciency and slaughter quality of salmon, Salmo salar L., given feeds with different ratios of carbohydrate and protein. Aquaculture Nutrition 1, 241±248. Andersen U.B., Thomassen M.S. & Rora A.M.B. (1997) Texture properties of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Effects of diet, muscle fat content and time of storage on ice. 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