Metabolomics-based strategies for fish meat quality, authentication and food safety: a review

Abstract Fish meat is well known for having exceptional nutritional profile, full of omega-3 fatty acids and essential amino acids which contribute to human health and disease prevention. Yet, increasing global demand for seafood has intensified concerns over quality assurance, authenticity and food safety particularly amid growing cases of fraud, mislabelling and contamination. Conventional assessment methods such as physicochemical, microbiological and sensory analyses often lack the resolution and sensitivity required to ensure consumer protection and reliable health outcomes. Metabolomics powered by advanced analytical tools including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provides a comprehensive strategy by profiling diverse metabolites that serve as indicators of freshness, nutritional value, species origin and environmental exposure. The discovery of robust biomarkers combined with pathway analysis and machine learning integration enhances authentication and enables detection of adulterants, toxins and harmful residues. By bridging fish meat quality assessment with food safety monitoring, metabolomics not only ensures product integrity and traceability but also safeguards consumer health reinforcing its role as a pivotal tool in modern seafood science and public health protection. Graphical Abstract