Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is an emerging system that combine the farming of aquatic species from different trophic levels in an integrated approach enhancing efficiency while minimizing waste. This study investigated the flesh quality, shelf-life, and sensory properties of sea bream (Sparus aurata) reared in the REMEDIA Life IMTA system, located in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). The Mar Grande, a semi-enclosed basin connected to the Gulf of Taranto, is characterized by significant anthropogenic activity, including commercial and military ports, and extensive mussel farming. The research was conducted at the “Maricoltura Mar Grande” (MMG) aquaculture facility. Since 2019, half of the MMG plant has been transformed into an innovative IMTA system as part of the EU REMEDIA Life project. This system 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 48 fishes (18 months old) collected from MMG farm were analysed: of which 24 belong to IMTA system and 24 to the control group (C) reared without bioremediators. Both groups receive the same commercial feed. For each group, 8 fishes were analysed after +24 h, 1 and 2 week of storage at 2 ± 1 °C. IMTA fishes showed a significantly longer tail, probably due to the reduced cannibalism occurring in this system. The total (331.44±34.06) and fillet (107.19±10.22) weights were markedly greater for IMTA group (p<0.05). On average, IMTA fishes showed significantly lower pH value and moisture content of flesh, but higher fat content. In all the storage times, the content of total saturated fatty acids was markedly higher in the C group in turn of a lower concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p<0.05). The quality index method, a sensory test performed using odor, color, texture, clarity and shape of the eye, and color of the gill, showed better results for IMTA fishes, particularly after 2 weeks of storage with better scores for skin brightness, flesh texture, eyes clarity and shape, gill colour and odour and total score (p<0.05). In conclusion, sea bream reared in the IMTA system showed better flesh quality, extended shelf-life, and superior sensory properties, highlighting the potential of the IMTA system to enhance sustainable aquaculture productivity while mitigating environmental impacts. Research founded by the European Commission, Life Environment program: REMEDIA Life project (LIFE16 ENV/IT/000343): Remediation of Marine Environment and Development of Innovative Aquaculture: exploitation of Edible/not Edible biomass.
Flesh quality, shelf-life, and sensory properties of Sea Bream reared in a Mediterranean coastal Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system
Simona Tarricone
;Maria Antonietta Colonna;Marco Ragni;Roberta Trani;Adriana Giangrande;Longo Caterina
2025-01-01
Abstract
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is an emerging system that combine the farming of aquatic species from different trophic levels in an integrated approach enhancing efficiency while minimizing waste. This study investigated the flesh quality, shelf-life, and sensory properties of sea bream (Sparus aurata) reared in the REMEDIA Life IMTA system, located in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). The Mar Grande, a semi-enclosed basin connected to the Gulf of Taranto, is characterized by significant anthropogenic activity, including commercial and military ports, and extensive mussel farming. The research was conducted at the “Maricoltura Mar Grande” (MMG) aquaculture facility. Since 2019, half of the MMG plant has been transformed into an innovative IMTA system as part of the EU REMEDIA Life project. This system 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 48 fishes (18 months old) collected from MMG farm were analysed: of which 24 belong to IMTA system and 24 to the control group (C) reared without bioremediators. Both groups receive the same commercial feed. For each group, 8 fishes were analysed after +24 h, 1 and 2 week of storage at 2 ± 1 °C. IMTA fishes showed a significantly longer tail, probably due to the reduced cannibalism occurring in this system. The total (331.44±34.06) and fillet (107.19±10.22) weights were markedly greater for IMTA group (p<0.05). On average, IMTA fishes showed significantly lower pH value and moisture content of flesh, but higher fat content. In all the storage times, the content of total saturated fatty acids was markedly higher in the C group in turn of a lower concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p<0.05). The quality index method, a sensory test performed using odor, color, texture, clarity and shape of the eye, and color of the gill, showed better results for IMTA fishes, particularly after 2 weeks of storage with better scores for skin brightness, flesh texture, eyes clarity and shape, gill colour and odour and total score (p<0.05). In conclusion, sea bream reared in the IMTA system showed better flesh quality, extended shelf-life, and superior sensory properties, highlighting the potential of the IMTA system to enhance sustainable aquaculture productivity while mitigating environmental impacts. Research founded by the European Commission, Life Environment program: REMEDIA Life project (LIFE16 ENV/IT/000343): Remediation of Marine Environment and Development of Innovative Aquaculture: exploitation of Edible/not Edible biomass.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
