Off-flavour research in the fish industry

Case Study

Automated sample preparation speeds up off-flavour research in the aquaculture industry

Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol are odorous chemicals produced by bacteria commonly found in recirculating aquaculture systems. Although naturally occurring, when they accumulate in fish tissues, they can give rise to an unpleasant ‘off-odour’, which is unappealing to consumers.

In this case-study, we talk to Robert Harrington, Research Associate at the Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) at the University of Maine, about how he’s using Markes’ HiSorb high-capacity sorptive extraction technology to monitor these two compounds in fish tissues. We focus on how HiSorb streamlined sample prep in his lab, and how automation on Centri enabled a simpler, faster analysis, with MDLs well below human detection thresholds. We also get his thoughts on the support he received from the Markes team, who helped him get up to speed with GC–MS and thermal desorption.

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Customer:
Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) at the University of Maine, partnered with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Application:
Analysis of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in fish tissues
Challenge:
Speed up sample preparation and sample capacity, while reducing detection limits
Solution:
HiSorb™ sorptive extraction probes with the Centri® 360 sample automation & concentration platform
Results:
Analysis of 45 vials per day with detection limits <20 ng/kg

We place a sample in a vial, add some salt and an internal standard, cap it, and then pop it on to the analyser. Set it and forget it. That’s what we really like about Centri
Robert Harrington
Aquaculture Research Institute’s (ARI) Off-flavor Laboratory

Automated sample preparation speeds up off-flavour research in the aquaculture industry

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