Meta‐analysis on nutrition studies modulating sea urchin roe growth, colour and taste. (22nd May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lourenço, Sílvia; Valente, Luísa M.P.; Andrade, Carlos
• Is Part Of: Reviews in aquaculture. Volume 11:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 766
• Page End: 781
• Publication Date: 2018-05-22
• Subjects: echinoculture -- enhancement -- gonad -- nutrition -- roe -- sea urchin; Aquaculture -- Periodicals; Sustainable aquaculture -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; 639.805
• DOI: 10.1111/raq.12256
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-5123

Abstract

Abstract: Sea urchin roe is highly appreciated worldwide as a gourmet product comparable to caviar. Research in echinoculture mainly focus on the production of high‐quality roe which stands for large golden orange to yellow gonads with a distinct, sweet ocean taste known as uni . The scientific approaches to manipulate roe quality are diverse in terms of targeted species and manipulated factors as nutrition, environmental and husbandry conditions. In this study, a meta‐analysis approach was applied to systematically review the research conducted between 2000 and 2017 aiming to enhance the sea urchin roe quality. The 48 studies selected and analysed here show that those targeting the growth of gonads were successful, independently of the selected species, the rearing system adopted, or the diet or nutrient tested. In contrast, most trials focusing on colour manipulation resulted in roe colour similar to the control group (sea urchins fed with algae). Only six studies aiming to enhance roe taste were selected but described inconclusive results. In conclusion, while the production of large gonads seems easily achievable, the enhancement of its colour and taste is still a challenge.