Nutrient compositional differentiation in the muscle of wild, inshore and offshore cage-cultured large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)

The proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid composition in the muscle of wild, inshore and offshore cage-cultured large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) were determined to identify nutritional differences. Wild fish groups showed highest content of moisture and crude protein, but lowest lipid content. Offshore cage-cultured fish showed significantly higher content of moisture and crude protein content, but lower crude lipid content than inshore cage-cultured fish. The content of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and alanine was higher in wild large yellow croaker than that of in inshore cage-cultured groups, but similar to offshore cage-cultured fish. Significant lower contents of total amino acids, essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids and flavor-enhancing amino acids content were recorded in two cultured fish groups than those in wild group. While no major differences in fatty acids composition were found between wild and cage-cultured groups except for linoleic acid. The fish from offshore cages has much better nutrient profile than inshore cage-cultured fish, but is still inferior compared to wild fish.