Channel Catfish (Ictalarus puncatus) is the fifth largest �crop� in Mississippi generating 175,366,000 dollars of revenue in 2012. Influx of fish species such as Basa (Pangasius bocourti) and Tra (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) from foreign markets has a large economic impact and also poses certain health risks. Misbranding of species, presence of antibiotics, and pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella sp. are the main threats to public health. To help curb these threats, several studies have been conducted. First, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) derivatized from fish fillet lipid extracts were analyzed via GC-MS/MS to generate lipid profiles unique to each species of fish. Percent area of Myristic, Palmitic, Stearic, and Linoleic acid methyl esters were found to be significantly different among Catfish and Tra fillets. Next, capillary gel electrophoresis on a chip was used to generate PCR-RFLP profiles from the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene. Comparison of fragmentation patterns allowed for the discrimination of different fish species. Lastly, a method to quantitatively determine nitrofuran (a class of antibiotics) metabolites via LC-MS/MS was developed. Aminohydantoin, 3-amino-5-mopholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone, and semicarbazide were chromatographically separated and detected at concentrations as low as five parts per billion. Recoveries of these compounds varied from 80 to 110 percent. In tandem, these methodologies can be used to rapidly and correctly identify imported fish fillets and products contaminated with these agents.

Monitoring catfish quality in Mississippi

246th National Meeting (2013)

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