Waterborne Geosmin Biokinetics in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Part I—Tissue-Specific Distribution and Physiological Stress Biomarkers
Egiddi M, Blonç M, Noguera PM, Türkmen IR, Teles M, Tort L, Petersen MA, Buettner A, Beauchamp J (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 2026
Article Number: 3374645
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1155/are/3374645
Abstract
Geosmin is a volatile sesquiterpenoid with an ‘earthy’ odour that negatively affects the flavour of aquaculture fish. While bioconcentration models for this compound in fish exist, there is an absence of studies that account for physiological kinetics across different organs and stress-related biochemical variables. A deeper understanding of geosmin kinetics is crucial for refining models of its absorption, elimination and metabolic transformation in fish to improve predictions of its impact on flavour quality and clarify its effect on fish stress response and welfare. This study examines the waterborne absorption and distribution of geosmin in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in blood, liver and fillet, as well as in aquaculture water, and assesses stress responses via biochemical markers. Trout were exposed to a single dose of 0.4 ng/mL geosmin (n = 28; plus no exposure, n = 28, as a control) under static water conditions. The concentrations of geosmin in water and fish tissues were measured at five intervals over 144 h (all fish in one exposure and one control tank for each interval) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Concomitant evaluations of eight biochemical stress indicators were undertaken. No significant stress response to geosmin exposure was observed, but biological tissues exhibited varying concentrations of geosmin, characterised by an initial increase followed by a decline. Strong effects of tissue-specific properties and exposure duration on distribution kinetics and concentrations were observed. Second-order polynomial regressions effectively captured the concentration dynamics of geosmin across all fish tissues and water. Cumulatively, over 88% of the geosmin dose remained unaccounted for, with only minor proportions of geosmin detected in water and animal biomass. This suggests primarily hepatic metabolic biotransformation in the fish, with a possible contribution from unsampled biomass and minor analytical/compartmental losses. These results advance the understanding of geosmin distribution dynamics in fish, with implications for aquaculture practices.
Involved external institutions
Fraunhofer-Institut für Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung (IVV)
Germany (DE)
Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) / Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Spain (ES)
University of Copenhagen
Denmark (DK)
Germany (DE)
Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) / Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Spain (ES)
University of Copenhagen
Denmark (DK)
How to cite
APA:
Egiddi, M., Blonç, M., Noguera, P.M., Türkmen, I.R., Teles, M., Tort, L.,... Beauchamp, J. (2026). Waterborne Geosmin Biokinetics in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Part I—Tissue-Specific Distribution and Physiological Stress Biomarkers. Aquaculture Research, 2026(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/are/3374645
MLA:
Egiddi, Matteo, et al. "Waterborne Geosmin Biokinetics in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Part I—Tissue-Specific Distribution and Physiological Stress Biomarkers." Aquaculture Research 2026.1 (2026).
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