Factors contributing to the iso-elemental fingerprinting of giant tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon)
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Date
2019-09-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Abstract
Demand for seafood has steadily increased as demonstrated by the growth in aquaculture production. By contrast, wild fisheries (i.e. wild-caught) production has plateaued. However, wild-caught and farmed seafood products are often sold alongside each other. Allowing for the substitution of higher value seafood products with those of lesser quality and value to occur. There are also reported cases involving human health risks associated with pathogens and banned substances present in fraudulently-marketed imported seafood. Accurate and reliable methods of seafood provenance are necessary to protect human health, improve biosecurity and maintain consumer confidence in seafood. Several methods are currently used for seafood provenance; however, there are drawbacks associated with some of these methods. A pilot study was conducted to scope the utility of isotopic and nuclear techniques to determine seafood provenance. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) through Itrax were used to determine the isotopic and elemental fingerprint of giant tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon), a species that is traded globally. These fingerprints where then used to create a seafood provenance model based on multiple statistical methods. The pilot study showed that these methods could determine the provenance of seafood with over 80% accuracy. To further improve the accuracy of the models, the factors causing the isotopic and elemental variability, in the
seafood products, need to be understood. Quantifying these factors will help develop more robust and reliable models. The current seafood provenance model development research examined the role of feed, water and sediment to the overall isotopic and elemental fingerprint of P. monodon. Replicate feed, water, sediment and P. monodon samples (n=9) were collected from nine different ponds in four farms around Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. These samples were then processed and analysed using SIA and XRF through Itrax to determine the isotopic and elemental composition of each individual sample. The results were then analysed using mixing models to quantify the isotopic and elemental flow from different feed and environmental components to the prawns. The analysis found that the feed and water are the major factors controlling the isotopic and elemental composition of P. monodon. Findings of these analyses will contribute to developing a scientifically robust and accurate model that can determine the provenance of seafood. This will allow for regulatory bodies to bolster consumer confidence, protect human health and allow for quarantining of seafood
that could threaten local biodiversity and fisheries and aquaculture industries.
Description
Keywords
Seafood, Prawns, Aquaculture, Pathogens, X-ray fluorescence analysis, New South Wales, Queensland
Citation
Gopi, K., Sammut, J., Mazumder, D., Crawford, J., Saintilan, N., & Gadd, P. (2019). Factors contributing to the iso-elemental fingerprinting of giant tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon). Paper presented at the ANSTO Young Researchers' Conference, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia, 3 Sep 2019. Retrieved from: https://events01.synchrotron.org.au/event/98/book-of-abstracts.pdf