FLAVOR AND OFF-FLAVOR IN WILD AND FARMED ATLANTIC SALMON FROM LOCATIONS AROUND NORTHERN-IRELAND

Sensory profiling techniques were used to investigate the odour and flavour of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from six sources in order to determine (i) whether there was any scientific basis for reports of off-flavours in salmon from certain sources and (ii) whether farmed and wild salmon differed in terms of flavour attributes. There were no consistent differences in odour or flavour between sea-caught wild salmon and farmed salmon. However, river-caught wild salmon showed enhanced 'earthy' flavour and odour; GC-odour assessment studies have indicated that 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin contribute to these attributes. For a short period, wild river salmon from one source also suffered from a manure-like off-flavour which has been shown to be due to the presence of skatole. The source of this compound remains uncertain.