Microbiota differences of giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) – A prototype vertical farming and traditional pond cultured system and their impact on autolysis rate and textural characteristics

Microbial profiles, autolysis rates, and textural characteristics of giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) cultured in a vertical farming with a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) were compared to those of prawns cultured in a traditional pond system (Pond). Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant differences in the quantity and diversity of microbial communities between RAS and Pond. Firmicutes were the dominant phylum found in both samples but at higher levels in Pond (P < 0.05). Conversely, Tenericutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, known as healthy microbiomes, were more abundant in RAS (P < 0.05). At the genus level, Enterococcus, recognized for its potential to improve colonization resistance against pathogens in the gut, was detected at higher levels in RAS (P < 0.005). This variation in microbiota might affect the difference in autolysis rates and textural properties between these two samples. RAS had a lower autolysis rate at all temperatures (4, 15, 25, and 35 °C) (P ˂ 0.05), consistent with the lower TCA-soluble peptide (157.61 μmol tyrosine equivalent/g sample). The differences in textural characteristics of these two prawns were observed. RAS had more water holding capacity (WHC) (80.07%) but lower drip loss (15.75%) and cooking loss (28.36%) than Pond (73.77, 17.84, and 31.20%, respectively) (P ˂ 0.05). From TPA results, RAS showed higher chewiness and gumminess than Pond, indicating a firmer texture, which is a desirable characteristic, particularly in fresh prawn. Overall, the findings indicated an improvement in microbial profiles, which further translated into economic benefits in terms of yield production and muscle quality, particularly texture, of prawn cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system as an alternative approach.