Comparison of Muscle Quality of the Yellow Catfish Cultured in In-Pond Raceway Systems and Traditional Ponds

In order to understand the difference in muscle nutritional quality between yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) cultured in in-pond raceway systems (IPR) and traditional ponds (TRP), two modes were used to culture the yellow catfish with the same initial body weight [average body weight (15.69 1 ± 2.28) g] for 60 days. The growth index, muscle texture characteristics, muscle nutritional components, amino acids and fatty acids of the fish were measured after the culture experiment. The results showed that the weight gain rate, specific growth rate and survival rate of IPR were significantly higher than TRP (p < 0.05). The hardness, elasticity, chewiness and resilience of the yellow catfish cultured in IPR were significantly higher than those cultured in TRP (p < 0.05). The crude protein content in the muscle of the yellow catfish cultured in IPR was significantly higher than that cultured in TRP (p < 0.01), while the content of crude fat and water was significantly lower (p < 0.01). The total amount of amino acids, essential amino acids and flavor amino acids of IPR were significantly higher than TRP (p < 0.01). The percentages of saturated fatty acids in muscle of the yellow catfish cultured in IPR and TRP were 3.59% and 3.83%, respectively, and the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids were 96.41% and 96.17%, respectively. It was concluded that the nutritional quality of yellow catfish cultured in IPR was better than that of fish cultured in TRP.