Monitoring of metabolites and the spoilage of Atlantic salmon fillets: An NMR approach: Including a case study on the detection and analysis of metabolites during the storage of Atlantic salmon using NMR spectroscopy

Abstract

This thesis studies metabolites in Atlantic salmon (S.salar) and their effect on the quality and the spoilage of the fish fillets. Of special interest is how the concentrations of metabolites can be assayed using NMR spectroscopy, and how metabolite concentrations can be used as a measure of quality and spoilage. We have conducted a literature review that reflects the current state of knowledge about metabolites and their effect on the quality and spoilage of fish fillets. Also some indices that are currently in use, or have been proposed for the measurement of metabolite concentrations, are presented. In our discussion of the literature, we suggest to further study metabolites and a combination of indices for the evaluation of quality, and the state of spoilage of Atlantic salmon fillets. NMR spectroscopy as a method has both advantages and disadvantages for the detection and quantification of metabolites. Even though NMR has its disadvantages, the technique yields large amounts of precise data in a short time, and therefore should be used more frequently in metabolite studies and more generally for the development of indices for quality and spoilage of fish. To further illustrate the point of this conclusion, we present a short case study of Atlantic salmon fillets based on NMR data recorded by Shumilina (2014). We have analyzed this data for some of the metabolites covered in our literature study in order to assess the fillets quality and the state of spoilage.