Comparison of chemical contents and consumer acceptance of albino rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1782) with brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill, 1814) and normal pigmented rainbow trout

Recently, albino rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rarely occurs in fish farms in Turkey. This study was aimed to find the advantages and disadvantages of this species of trout over normal rainbow trout and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in terms of chemical composition and consumer acceptance. For this purpose, protein, fat, moisture and dry matter contents of these species were determined. Furthermore, consumer acceptance was surveyed by selling the fish in cleaned and packed conditions using a questionnaire form placed under the packs. It was found out that brook trout had the highest consumer acceptance, albino rainbow trout were in the second place and normal pigmented trout had the lowest acceptance. Protein and fat contents of brook trout were also slightly higher than the others. There were no significant differences in chemical contents between albino and normal rainbow trout. Although, brook trout shows advantages over both types of rainbow trout in terms of consumer acceptance and chemical contents, it reaches the marketable size later on compared to the other species. Therefore, this trout is not marketable with the same price. Albino rainbow trout reaches the marketable size at the same time of normal rainbow trout and quicker than brook trout. It also had better consumer acceptance compared to normal trout. In conclusion, the study showed that albino trout will be sold better compared to other types of trout.