Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) characterization of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from different rearing systems.

The present study aimed to predict by NIRS the proximate chemical composition and some carcass traits of sea bass coming from 11 farms with different rearing systems (extensive, intensive in land-based basins, sea cages) and located in northern (Friuli, Veneto), central (Tuscany) and southern (Puglia and Sicily) Italy. NIRS analysis of freeze dried sea bass fillets gave fairly good predictions of slaughter weight and fillet yield (R2cv=0.48-0.55), while results for carcass yield were poor. NIRS analysis was highly predictive for the condition factor (R2cv=0.790, SECV=0.09) and for water, ether extract and gross energy showing high correlations (R2cv>0.90) with NIR spectral information and high accuracy (SECV=0.67%, 0.46% and 0.38 kJ/g for water, ether extract and energy, respectively). Crude protein prediction showed lower performance, even if still good, compared to previous variables (R2cv=0.734, SECV=0.34). The score plot of principal component analysis showed intensively-reared sea bass separated from extensively reared fish.