Quality differences of gilthead sea bream from distinct production systems in Southern Europe: Intensive, integrated, semi-intensive or extensive systems

Type Article
Date 2011-05
Language English
Author(s) Valente L. M. P.1, 2, Cornet Josiane3, Donnay-Moreno Claire3, Gouygou Jean-Paul3, Berge Jean-PascalORCID3, Bacelar M.1, Escorcio C.1, Rocha E.1, 2, Malhao F.2, Cardinal MireilleORCID3
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Porto, CIMAR, CIIMAR Ctr Interdisciplinar Invest Marinha & Ambi, P-4050123 Oporto, Portugal.
2 : Univ Porto, ICBAS, P-4099003 Oporto, Portugal.
3 : IFREMER, Lab Sci & Technol Biomasse Marine, F-44311 Nantes 03, France.
Source Food Control (0956-7135) (Elsevier Sci Ltd), 2011-05 , Vol. 22 , N. 5 , P. 708-717
DOI 10.1016/j.foodcont.2010.11.001
WOS© Times Cited 56
Keyword(s) Flesh quality parameters, Fatty acids profile, Sensory evaluation, Histological muscle characteristics, Rearing systems in aquaculture, Quality indicators in fish
Abstract The quality of gilthead sea bream from distinct production systems and geographical locations in Southern Europe was evaluated to differentiate aquaculture products from extensive, integrated and semi-intensive systems from the ones produced intensively. This work analysed the external appearance of fish, yields after filleting as well as nutritional, sensory and histological characteristics of the muscle. The results showed that the yellow-golden line between eyes and the shiny red spot on the gill cover can be important and easy criteria to discriminate aquaculture products. Trimming losses are higher in fish from intensive systems. Lipid content of fish from extensive systems was significantly lower than values observed for fish reared intensively. Samples from the integrated and extensive systems showed the best n-3/n-6 ratio, contrarily to intensive systems, but it is difficult to establish clear quality markers to differentiate gilthead sea bream according to the rearing system. Regarding sensory characteristics, the sea bream flesh from intensive systems seems firmer and denser, having smaller white fibres and higher density of fibres in the dorsal muscle. The taste and odour of fatty fish was less strong in fish reared in non-intensive conditions, but extensive rearing in earthen pond is more propitious to the development of certain characteristics related to the environment.
Full Text
File Pages Size Access
Author's final draft 22 208 KB Open access
10 308 KB Access on demand
Top of the page

How to cite 

Valente L. M. P., Cornet Josiane, Donnay-Moreno Claire, Gouygou Jean-Paul, Berge Jean-Pascal, Bacelar M., Escorcio C., Rocha E., Malhao F., Cardinal Mireille (2011). Quality differences of gilthead sea bream from distinct production systems in Southern Europe: Intensive, integrated, semi-intensive or extensive systems. Food Control, 22(5), 708-717. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2010.11.001 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00021/13208/