Distribution of bromophenols in species of ocean fish from eastern Australia

Thirty-two species of ocean fish from eastern Australia were analyzed by GC/MS for the key flavor components 2- and 4-bromophenol, 2,4- and 2,6-dibromophenol, and 2,4,6-tribromophenol. With the exception of one species, bromophenols were found in all species of benthic carnivores, diverse omnivores, and restricted omnivores but were not detected in five species of pelagic carnivores. The total bromophenol content in whole fish varied greatly between species from not detected to 438 ng/g. Separate analysis of the gut and flesh showed that the gut contained the bulk of the bromophenols, supporting opinions that these compounds were derived from components of the fishes' natural diets. The paper discusses likely dietary sources of bromophenols in Australian fish, arguing that polychaetes are major sources of bromophenols in benthic carnivores and diverse omnivores, and marine algae are sources of bromophenols in restricted omnivores. The importance of bromophenols in the flavor of Australian ocean fish is also discussed.