Different tools to trace geographic origin and seasonality of croaker (Micropogonias furnieri)

•Croaker geographical origin could be distinguished by proximate chemical composition, fatty acids profile, essential elements or stable isotopes.•Croaker seasonality could be distinguished by several fatty acids, elements (Cl, Ca, Fe, Sr and S), and stable isotopes (δ15N).•Tools used in the present study are promising methods for authentication and traceability of croakers caught in different seasons and localities.

The aim of this study was to use proximate chemical composition, macro and trace elements, fatty acid profile and stable isotopes as traceability tools to assess geographic origin and seasonality of croaker (Micropogonias furnieri). Croaker from Parnaíba contained higher ash in July and lower fat content than croaker from Santos. In contrast, croaker from Santos had statistically higher proportion of 16:1n-9+16:1n-7, 20:1n-11, 20:1n-9, MUFA and n-3/n-6 ratio than croaker from Parnaíba. Concerning seasonality, croaker caught in July had significantly higher amounts of 14:0, 15:0, 16:1n-9+16:1n-7 and saturated fatty acids than fish caught in December. Concerning elements, significant differences were also detected between seasons for Cl, Ca, Fe, Sr and S, whereas differences between geographic origins were only observed with K. δ13C and δ15N were statistically different between geographic origins, whereas differences between seasons were only detected in δ15N ratio of croaker from Santos. Fatty acids, minerals and stable isotope are effective methods to trace geographic origin and seasonality of croaker. Nonetheless, further investigation is still required with larger samples of croaker to enable the implementation of fatty acids, elements or stable isotope as authenticity tools by food control agencies.