The present research aimed to investigate the chemical changes and volatiles formation during processing and ripening of a traditional dry salted fish product prepared from landlocked shad (Alosa fallax lacustris). Proximate and fatty acid composition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values, color measurements and volatile compounds were determined in fresh fish and salted samples at 9, 40, 70 and 100 days of maturation. The fatty acid composition changed during ripening, with significant increase of saturated fatty acids and decrease of monounsaturated fatty acids. The total concentration of volatile compounds increased rapidly from fresh fish to dried product, with a maximum peak in correspondence to the drying step. The TBARS values increased from 0.76 μg/g in fresh fish to 10.95 μg/g in dry fish. Lipolytic and proteolytic reactions occurring in salted product, exacerbated by the presence of high amount of salt and ambient ripening temperature, contributed to the development of typical flavors. In Europe there is a growing interest in traditional fish products derived from local species and prepared with ancient recipes. Shad is one of the major species harvested in subalpine lakes and most of captured fish are traditionally subjected to an artisanal processing procedure, to give a dried fish product that is commercialized with the historic name of missoltino. This study describes the quality changes of prepared shad during processing and ripening. The appropriate combination of salt, drying and ripening conditions allows to obtain a product with optimal chemical and sensory properties. This study aims to provide the fish producers with improved criterions to traditional practices, in order to standardize the process and to obtain higher quality product for consumers. Moreover, these results represent a basis for product valorization and could contribute to a better consideration of the product on the market.

According to the knowledge that the composition in fatty acids of milk is related to the production system, we determined the fatty acid composition of goat milk yielded in three different Italian farms. Two low-input system farms; one organic (LI-O) and one conventional (LI-C), and one high-input system conventional farm (HI-C) were involved in the study. Significant differences were detected among the different groups considering the fatty acid pattern of milk. Fatty acids (FA) strictly related to the rearing system, such as odd and branched chain fatty acids (OBCFA), linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n6), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n3), elaidic acid (EA, 18:1 n9), total n6 and total n3 FA, were identified as the most significant factors in the characterization of samples coming from low- or high-input systems. OBCFA amounts were found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the LI-O milk (4.7%), followed by the LI-C milk (4.5%) and then by the HI-C milk (3.4%). The same trend was observed for Σn3 FAs, mainly represented by ALA (0.72%–0.81% in LI-O systems and 0.41% in HI-system), and the opposite for Σn6 FAs, principally represented by LA (2.0%–2.6% in LI-systems and 3.1% in HI-system). A significant (p < 0.01) discrimination among samples clusters coming from the different systems was allowed by the principal component analysis (PCA).

Processed fish roes are acquiring considerable importance in the modern food market, entering more and more often as an ingredient in food preparation and as caviar substitutes. In this study, we defined quality, traceability and safety issues related to processed fish roe products from different species. The results obtained allowed to distinguish eggs originated from different fish species and to discriminate between fish roes and caviar samples obtained from four different sturgeons species. We observed that roes showed a trend of grouping according to ecological and reproductive habits of fish species. We highlighted the differences between eggs originated by farmed and freshwater fish, enriched in n6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and all the others, in which n3 PUFAs were prevalent. In addition, we evaluated processed fish roes under a food safety point of view, combining microbiological analysis with the determination of organic acids, used in some products as authorized preservatives. Microbiological characterization has proved a general good hygienic level for these products. Organic acids determination showed values in compliance with European Union (EU) regulations in almost of samples; in some cases, we found a mismatch between the organic acids detected and what was reported in labels. Processed fish roes could be considered a safe product that can provide to human nutrition a valuable content of essential fatty acids.

The demand for aquafeed is expected to increase in the coming years and new ingredients will be needed to compensate for the low fish meal and oil availability. Microalgae represent a promising matrix for the future aquafeed formulation, however, the high production cost hinders its application. The use of microalgae from biorefinery would reduce the disposal costs for microalgae production. The present study aimed to (i) verify the growth of microalgae on digestate coming from pig farming and (ii) evaluate their potential valorization as dietary ingredient in aquafeed according to a Circular Bioeconomy approach. For these purposes, a microalgae biomass was produced on an outdoor raceway reactor supplied with digestate and used for partial replacement (10% of the diet) in aquafeed for Siberian sturgeon fingerlings (Acipenser baerii). The results obtained confirm the feasibility for growing microalgae on digestate with satisfactory productivity (6.2 gDM m⁻² d⁻¹), nutrient removal efficiency and Chemical Oxygen Demand reduction; moreover, the feeding trial carried out showed similar results between experimental and control groups (p > 0.05), in term of growth performance, somatic indices, fillet nutritional composition and intestinal functionality, to indicate that microalgae from biorefinery could be used as protein source in Siberian sturgeon aquafeed.

The impact of processing on amino acid racemization and protein quality in processed animal proteins of poultry origin