PRODUCTION OF TILAPIA IN BIOFLOC WITH DIFFERENT SALT CONDICTIONS: AN EVALUATION OF BODY COMPOSITION AND ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES

Abstract

Biofloc systems for aquaculture production are excellent options to attend the increasing demand for fish. Despite the advantages, these systems lead to accumulation of nitrogenous residues that need to be avoided, which can be achieved by the addition of salts to the water. However, salts may interfere with the body composition and the organoleptic properties of fish. Therefore, we evaluate the body composition and acceptability of tilapia fillets produced under different salt conditions. Body composition was measured by moisture, ethereal extract, crude protein and minerals, and tested by Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA). To infer on acceptability, a sensorial analysis was performed to produce preference scales of aroma, appearance, texture, flavor and off-flavor attributes. These were summarized with Principal Coordinates Analysis and tested by PERMANOVA. The body composition shows no significance difference between salts conditions. However, the organoleptic properties according to the participants were peculiar and showed lower influence of the salt condition. In the order of preference, the most accepted fish was cultivated in a conventional system (ponds without salinity). Therefore, salt conditions in biofloc systems did not significantly change the body composition of the fish, but subtle reduced their acceptability.