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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Nutrient Data Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324645
Title: Addressing information gaps in wild-caught foods in the US: Brook trout nutritional analysis for inclusion into the USDA national nutrient database for standard reference

Author
item TIDBALL, MOIRA - Cornell University
item EXLER, JACOB - University Of Maryland
item SOMANCHI, MEENA - University Of Maryland
item Williams, Juhi
item KRAFT, CLIFFORD - Cornell University
item CURTIS, PAUL - Cornell University
item TIDBALL, KEITH - Cornell University

Submitted to: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2015
Publication Date: 7/1/2017
Citation: Tidball, M.M., Exler, J., Somanchi, M., Williams, J.R., Kraft, C., Curtis, P., Tidball, K.G. 2017. Toward increasing the visibility of wild-caught foods in the US: Brook Trout Nutritional Analysis for Inclusion into the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. doi: 10/1016/j.jfca.2017.03.004

Interpretive Summary: There are several species of wild game and fish that are legal to hunt as part of the Locavore movement. “Locavores” are individuals motivated to eat food that is locally grown, raised, produced, or harvested. Brook trout is one of these species. There is a lack of data for these species in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Therefore, a study was established between Cornell Cooperative Extension Program and the Nutrient Data Laboratory to determine nutritional composition of raw brook trout. Brook trout samples were collected using fly fishing and spin casting equipment in the months of May and June, 2012 in the Adirondack region of New York State. Dissection of brook trout was done at the Cornell University and sent to Virginia Tech for homogenizing and compositing. Brook trout samples were analyzed at commercial laboratories for proximate composition (moisture, protein, total fat and ash), minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and cholesterol using validated methodology. Quality assurance was monitored using commercial reference materials, in-house control materials, and random duplicate samples. Analytical data were reviewed, compiled and disseminated into SR for public use. The availability of these data in SR will enable consumers, researchers, and Cooperative Extension specialists to make informed decisions about nutritional benefits for healthy locally-sourced fish.

Technical Abstract: Many species of wild game and fish that are legal to hunt or catch do not have nutrition information in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Among those species that lack nutrition information are brook trout. The research team worked with the Nutrient Data Laboratory within USDA to set up a collection protocol for brook trout. Using legal angling techniques (fly-fishing and spin-casting) and artificial lures, samples were collected in the months of May and June 2012 by members of the research team. The trout were caught in the Adirondack region of New York State and were processed according to USDA determined dissection protocols to attain edible meat portions. Nutrient analysis was done on raw brook trout meat samples at USDA-appointed commercial laboratories for proximates (moisture, protein, total fat, and ash), calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12,individual fatty acids, and cholesterol. Nutrient values were determined by validated laboratories using quality assurance procedures. Analytical data were sent to the Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) at USDA, where they were reviewed, compiled and released into SR(http://www.ars.usda gov/nutrientdata).