Abstract
Off-flavours in fish products generated from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are a major problem in the fish farming industry affecting the market demand and prices. A particular concern is the muddy or musty odour and taste in fish due to the presence of secondary metabolites geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), produced by actinobacteria (mainly Streptomyces), myxobacteria and cyanobacteria. Off-flavours have deteriorated the quality of fish, rendering their products unfit for human consumption. The process of odour removal requires purification for several days to weeks in clean water; thus this leads to additional production costs. Geosmin and 2-MIB, detected at extremely low odour thresholds, are the most widespread off-flavour metabolites in aquaculture, entering through fish gills and accumulating in the fish adipose tissues. In this review, we aimed to determine the diversity and identity of geosmin- and 2-MIB-producing bacteria in aquaculture and provide possible strategies for their elimination.
•Off-flavours are a major problem in the aquaculture industry.•Off-flavours lead to deterioration of fish.•Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol appear the most widespread off-flavour metabolite in aquaculture.