Chapter two - Proteomics for Quality and Safety in Fishery Products

Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based workflows, for example, shotgun, are becoming increasingly crucial in aquaculture research compared to conventional gel-based approaches. The recent advances in the sequencing of fish genomes and significant improvements in protein databases for fish organisms have contributed to the routine use of MS-based (gel-free) methods in the aquaculture field. Undoubtedly the access to high-throughput proteomic methodologies by a larger number of laboratories dedicated to aquaculture research will have a significant impact in central areas of interest of the industry sector and will hopefully contribute to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 agenda. This chapter discusses the main applications of proteomics-based strategies in fish welfare, quality, and safety assessment toward sustainable aquaculture. Fish quality, safety, and sustainability are highly interconnected, involving many stakeholders from consumers to policymakers/legislators that are responsible for the implementation of rules, in a continuous feedback loop where environmental concerns are getting a central role.