Multi-class screening of feedstuff contaminants and potential endocrine disruptors in farmed fish

Abstract

A reliable analytical strategy has been developed to evaluate current and recurrent contaminant risks in fish farming. The methodology is based on a generic extraction method followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) both coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). In this approach, a quadrupole time-of-flight mass analyzer (QTOF MS) was used for qualitative screening, and triple quadrupole mass analyzer (QqQ) for quantitative analysis. Using this methodology, data from Atlantic salmon and gilthead sea bream trials highlighted that new diet formulations based on plant ingredients increased consumer awareness, although contaminant monitoring systems need to be continuously improved to guarantee a safe aquaculture. The incentive for this will be potentially higher prices and increased consumer demand