Impact of spawning season on fillet quality of wild pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Abstract

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a freshwater fish that has become increasingly popular as a food fish. Within this study, the influence of the spawning process on meat quality was investigated. For this purpose, adult pikeperch was examined directly before and after spawning, and compared regarding physical meat parameters and lipid composition. The results indicate that after spawning, the values of the pH, the electrical conductivity and the yellowness value of fillet were significantly higher than those of the animals sampled before spawning. Analysis of the sum of the total lipid content indicates no differences before and after closed season, but differences in the fatty acid profile were present. Despite significant lower MUFA concentrations, the EPA and DHA showed unaffected high contents. Therefore, the fish muscle indicated an equivalent meat quality. Nevertheless, the significant changes of some physical meat quality parameters after spawning season could have a particular impact on the shelf life and storage of the pikeperch fillet, highlighting the need for further research.