Physical indices, processing yields, compositional parameters and fatty acid profile of three species of cultured sturgeon (genus Acipenser)

Cultured Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri), Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) and white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) of market size were examined for condition factor, eviscerated and dressed yields, white flesh yield, viscera-, hepato-somatic- and gonado-somatic indices. Muscle pH, chemical composition, cholesterol content and fatty acid profile of flesh were also determined. Significant differences were noted between species in eviscerated yield and white flesh yield (lowest in A naccarii, highest in A transmontanus), viscera index and gonado-somatic index (lowest in A transmontanus), but not in dressed yield. Muscle lipid content was 77.6, 106.4 and 44.9 g kg(-1) wet weight in A baeri, A naccarii and A transmontanus, respectively. Acipenser baeri had the lowest saturated and the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid content, especially of the omega-3 series (as % total fatty acid methyl esters). Given the differences that emerged under uniform feeding regimen and environmental conditions, it would be reasonable to market the three species under their proper names, rather than under the generic term of 'sturgeon' as is presently done in Italy.