Off-flavour compounds in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) flesh in context of type of fish pond

The aim of our study was to survey the geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) concentrations of the sediment and that of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) flesh in three different Hungarian fish farms (clayey, marshy, and sodic ponds). Results showed that the concentrations of off-flavour compounds of the sediment and fish fillets were related to the natural environment. The GSM concentration of bottom soil samples was higher, than MIB in each fish farm. Both off-flavour compounds were the highest in the marshy fish pond and the lowest in the sodic pond. In case of fish flesh, significant differences were found between the farms in GSM level and fat content. In the fish flesh the same tendency was found as in the sediments, but surprisingly, MIB concentration was higher in the fillets, referring to accumulation

Note on the special fillet fatty acid composition of the dwarf carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) living in thermal Lake Hévíz, Hungary

Fatty acid (FA) composition of the fillet and the intestinal content of dwarf common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) living in Lake Hévíz was determined in wintertime collected samples and results were compared to widespread literature data on carp. Fillet FA profile of the thermally adapted (28 oC) Hévíz dwarf carps differed from profiles originated from divergent culture and feeding conditions in the overall level of saturation. Fillet myristic acid proportions largely exceeded all literature data in spite of poor dietary supply. Fillet fatty acid results indicate the effects of thermal adaptation (high saturation level) and the correlative effects of feed components rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with special respect to docosahexaenoic acid. With the application of discriminant factor analysis the Hévíz sample was accurately differentiated from the literature data on carp fillet fatty acid profile, mostly based on C14:0, C18:1 n9, C18:2 n6, C20:1 n9 and C20:4 n6 FAs. In summary, fillet FA profile suggested thermal adaptation, location specificity and the ingestion of algal and bacterial material

Environmental factors influencing the slaughter value and flesh quality of the common carp in four typical fish farms in Hungary

Four important Hungarian common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) breeds (Attala mirror, Attala scaled, Hortobágy scaled and Szeged mirror) harvested from different fish farms were analysed in this study. Main body indices, slaughter characteristics, fillet fat content, and conventional fish flesh quality characteristics were measured and compared. The slaughter value of the mirror strains tended to exceed that of the scaled type carps. For the calculated body indices (profile, cross-sectional, head and tail index) the influence of strain was statistically proven. Fillet fat content was significantly (P<0.01) affected by strains/ponds. The pH value of the fillet was significantly influenced by the strain as a fixed factor. Large, strain dependent variability was proven in fat content besides identical fillet dry matter contents. It was assumed that culture conditions and strain largely influence and lead to a marked variability of the body composition and flesh quality of the most important Hungarian fish species

Effect of graded dietary fish oil supplementation on body composition and fillet fatty acid composition of pike (Esox lucius L.)

A feeding experiment was conducted on northern pike, Esox lucius L. (123.6±33.3 g initial body weight) applying graded dietary fish oil supplementation resulting three dietary fat levels (without supplementation: 6.2% fat and 11.7, 17.4% fat levels with supplementations) in a recirculation system. Feed consumption, feed efficiency and protein utilization of pike was not affected by the treatment. Whole body lipid content analysis showed that the composition of pike was significantly affected by the increasing level of fish oil supplementation, although no relationship was detected between the dietary and the fillet lipid content, as well as the protein content of fish bodies. High docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) proportions were found in the muscle lipids (groups fed fish oil supplementation), as compared to the dietary fatty acid compositions suggesting that with dietary fish oil supplementation the dietary precursors (mainly EPA) enable pike to convert long chain highly unsaturated fatty acids, especially DHA; resulting high DHA: EPA ratios in the fillet

Tracking of the hormonally induced maturation of female eels by computed tomography

Female European eels were kept in artificial seawater for a trial period of 14 weeks. Three fish were injected intra-abdominally with carp pituitary suspension (twice a week) and human chorionic gonadotropin (every 2nd week), with the aim to induce artificial maturation. Three further fish were not treated (control). Fish were not fed during the trial. The treated fish were scanned by computed tomography (CT) every second week (the controls only at the start and at the end of the trial) to follow changes in body composition. Notable decreases were shown in total body pixel number (body volume), total body fat content, total fillet volume and fillet fat content during the experiment. Changes were more pronounced in the treated group than in the control. The abdominal volume strongly increased in the responding fish throughout the trial. The ovary volume increased measurably, while its fat content increased only until the 8th week, after which a decrease was measured. Tissue volumetric estimations of the ovary were also supported by histological results. A so-called volumetric gonadosomatic index (gonad volume/total body volume × 100) was developed for the quantitative characterisation of eel maturation