Flesh Quality, Shelf Life, and Freshness Assessment of Sea Bream Reared in a Coastal Mediterranean Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System

This study investigated the flesh quality, shelf life, and sensory freshness of sea bream (Sparus aurata) reared in the REMEDIA Life IMTA system, which incorporates bioremediator organisms—sponges, polychaetes, bivalves, and macroalgae—supported by artificial vertical collectors to enhance the settlement of sessile macroinvertebrates and improve environmental quality. A total of 96 fish (18 months old) were analysed, 48 farmed within the IMTA system and 48 in the conventional offshore system. Both groups received the same commercial feed. For each group, 16 fish were analysed after 1, 7, and 14 days of storage at 2 ± 1 °C to evaluate physical features, chemical and fatty acid composition, and sensory freshness. The total weight was markedly greater for fish in the IMTA group (p < 0.05), which showed a significantly (p < 0.05) longer tail. For all the storage times, the content of total saturated fatty acids was markedly higher in the control group, along with a lower concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). The quality index method showed better results for the IMTA group (p < 0.05), particularly after 2 weeks of storage in ice. In conclusion, sea bream reared in the IMTA system showed better flesh quality, extended shelf life, and prolonged sensory freshness.