Application of non-invasive techniques to differentiate sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L. 1758) quality cultured under different conditions

Abstract

European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, is one of the main species cultured in Europe. In this study, non-invasive techniques such as visible-near infrared spectroscopy and dynamometric analysis were used to discriminate concrete tank–cultured sea bass from sea cage–cultured sea bass. A total of 198 samples were collected at six time points from 3 Italian fish farms. A partial least squares analysis was conducted on individual animals at 48 and 96 h post-mortem to determine whether textural and spectral parameters can discriminate between concrete tank– and sea cage–reared sea bass. The results of this analysis demonstrated that spectral measurements better discriminate individual animals at 48 h post-mortem (87% in the independent test) with respect to 96 h post-mortem (66.7% in the independent test). Differences in texture were observed between the two groups of fish, but the texture changed in the time. The texture in sea cage–cultured fish showed higher values of measured force (N) with respect to fish reared in concrete tanks at 48 h post-mortem. Instead, opposite results were observed at 96 h post-mortem. Fillet colour were influenced by both farm and rearing condition.