Icelandic Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a freshwater fish belonging to the Salmonidae family. It is known for its tender and flavorful flesh and is farmed in Iceland under conditions that mimic its natural habitat.

Icelandic Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water fish species native to the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is closely related to both salmon and trout and is highly regarded for its mild, delicate flavor and firm texture. Icelandic Arctic Char is popular in culinary circles and has a variety of culinary uses.

Raw Materials Used in the Production of Icelandic Arctic Char

• Arctic Char Eggs. Selected for breeding.
• Clean, Cold Water. Essential to simulate the natural habitat of the char.
• Quality Feed. Composed of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to ensure healthy growth.
• Aquaculture Technologies. Water filtration systems, temperature control, and environmental monitoring.

Industrial Production Process of Icelandic Arctic Char

• Preparation. Arctic char eggs are incubated under controlled conditions.
• Development. After hatching, the young fish are transferred to growth tanks.
• Feeding. The fish are fed with balanced diets to promote healthy growth.
• Monitoring. The health and growth of the fish are constantly monitored.
• Harvesting. Once mature, the fish are harvested.
• Processing. The fish are cleaned, processed, and prepared for distribution.

Culinary Uses

Grilling: Arctic Char is often grilled, either on open flames or in a grill pan. Its firm flesh holds up well to grilling, and the crispy skin can be a delightful treat.

Baking: Baking is a popular cooking method for Arctic Char. It can be baked whole, in fillets, or in parchment paper baking bags (be careful never to use uncoated aluminum foil because it is very dangerous to your health) with herbs and seasonings to achieve an appetizing result.

Pan-Searing: Pan-searing Arctic Char in a hot skillet with some oil creates a crispy skin while keeping the flesh tender and moist.

Curing: Arctic Char can be used to make gravlax, a Scandinavian dish similar to smoked salmon. The fish is cured with a mixture of salt, sugar, and dill, resulting in a slightly sweet and salty delicacy.

Sushi and Sashimi: Arctic Char is sometimes used in sushi and sashimi preparations due to its clean taste and attractive pink-orange flesh.

Poaching: Poaching Arctic Char in a flavorful broth or court bouillon can yield a delicate and moist result.

Smoking: Smoking Arctic Char imparts a delicious smoky flavor to the fish, making it a popular choice for smoked fish dishes. Be careful, however, because smoking is not a healthy method.

Tartare: You can prepare Arctic Char tartare by finely chopping the fish and mixing it with herbs, spices, and other ingredients to create a refreshing and elegant appetizer.

Culinary Pairings

Arctic Char pairs well with various herbs, such as dill, tarragon, and parsley.

Citrus flavors, like lemon and orange, complement the fish's mild taste.

It also goes well with ingredients like capers, shallots, and olive oil.

Consider serving it with a side of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Other Uses

Conservation: Arctic Char is a valuable species for conservation efforts in the face of climate change and habitat degradation. Conservation organizations work to protect Arctic Char populations and their habitats.

Aquaculture: Arctic Char is also farmed in some regions, including Iceland. Sustainable aquaculture practices help meet the demand for this fish while reducing pressure on wild populations.

Research: Arctic Char is studied by scientists and researchers to better understand its biology, behavior, and adaptation to cold environments, providing insights into climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Petersen K, Hultman MT, Bytingsvik J, Harju M, Evenset A, Tollefsen KE. Characterizing cytotoxic and estrogenic activity of Arctic char tissue extracts in primary Arctic char hepatocytes. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2017;80(16-18):1017-1030. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1357277. 

Abstract. Contaminants from various anthropogenic activities are detected in the Arctic due to long-range atmospheric transport, ocean currents, and living organisms such as migrating fish or seabirds. Although levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Arctic fish are generally low, local hot spots of contamination were found in freshwater systems such as Lake Ellasjøen at Bjørnøya (Bear Island, Norway). Higher concentrations of organic halogenated compounds (OHC), and higher levels of cytochrome P450 and DNA-double strand breaks were reported in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from this lake compared to fish from other lakes on Bjørnøya. Although several of the measured contaminants are potential endocrine disrupters, few studies have investigated potential endocrine disruptive effects of the contaminant cocktail in this fish population. The aim of this study was to compare acutely toxic and estrogenic potency of the cocktail of pollutants as evidenced by cytotoxic and/or estrogenic effects in vitro using extracts of Arctic char livers from contaminated Lake Ellasjøen with those from less contaminated Lake Laksvatn at Bjørnøya. This was performed by in situ sampling and contaminant extraction from liver tissue, followed by chemical analysis and in vitro testing of the following contaminated tissue extracts: F1-nonpolar OHC, F2-polar pesticides and metabolites of OHC, and F3-polar OHC. Contaminant levels were highest in extracts from Ellasjøen fish. The F2 and F3 extracts from Lake Laksvatn and Lake Ellasjøen fish reduced in vitro cell viability at a concentration ratio of 0.03-1 relative to tissue concentration in Arctic char. Only the F3 liver extract from Ellasjøen fish increased in vitro vitellogenin protein expression. Although compounds such as estrogenic OH-PCBs were quantified in Ellasjøen F3 extracts, it remains to be determined which compounds were inducing estrogenic effects.

Hamilton EF, Element G, van Coeverden de Groot P, Engel K, Neufeld JD, Shah V, Walker VK. Anadromous Arctic Char Microbiomes: Bioprospecting in the High Arctic. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2019 Feb 26;7:32. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00032. 

Abstract. Northern populations of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) can be anadromous, migrating annually from the ocean to freshwater lakes and rivers in order to escape sub-zero temperatures. Such seasonal behavior demands that these fish and their associated microbiomes adapt to changes in salinity, temperature, and other environmental challenges. We characterized the microbial community composition of anadromous S. alpinus, netted by Inuit fishermen at freshwater and seawater fishing sites in the high Arctic, both under ice and in open water. Bacterial profiles were generated by DNA extraction and high-throughput sequencing of PCR-amplified 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Results showed that microbial communities on the skin and intestine of Arctic char were statistically different when sampled from freshwater or saline water sites. This association was tested using hierarchical Ward's linkage clustering, showing eight distinct clusters in each of the skin and intestinal microbiomes, with the clusters reflecting sampling location between fresh and saline environments, confirming a salinity-linked turnover. This analysis also provided evidence for a core composition of skin and intestinal bacteria, with the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria presenting as major phyla within the skin-associated microbiomes. The intestine-associated microbiome was characterized by unidentified genera from families Fusobacteriaceae, Comamonadaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Vibrionaceae. The salinity-linked turnover was further tested through ordinations that showed samples grouping based on environment for both skin- and intestine-associated microbiomes. This finding implies that core microbiomes between fresh and saline conditions could be used to assist in regulating optimal fish health in aquaculture practices. Furthermore, identified taxa from known psychrophiles and with nitrogen cycling properties suggest that there is additional potential for biotechnological applications for fish farm and waste management practices.

Mansour N, McNiven MA, Richardson GF. The effect of dietary supplementation with blueberry, alpha-tocopherol or astaxanthin on oxidative stability of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) semen. Theriogenology. 2006 Jul 15;66(2):373-82. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.12.002.

Abstract. The objective was to determine the oxidative stability of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) semen following dietary supplementation with lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) product, alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol+blueberry product, or alpha-tocopherol+astaxanthin. Sperm lipid peroxidation was initiated by challenging with ferrous sulphate/ascorbic acid (Fe(++)/Asc) at level of 0.04/0.2 mmol/L. Addition of blueberry, alpha-tocopherol, or both to char diets inhibited semen lipid peroxidation by: (a) decreasing the rate of sperm lipid peroxidation, an effect which was more pronounced with alpha-tocopherol treatments; and (b) increasing the antioxidant potential of seminal plasma, based on the lipid peroxidation process of sperm and an in vitro chicken brain tissue model. Dietary supplementation with astaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol had the same effect as the supplementation with alpha-tocopherol alone on inhibiting the lipid peroxidation process of sperm and chicken brain. Catalase-like activity increased significantly in sperm of fish fed alpha-tocopherol, blueberry, or both. There was a negative correlation (r= -0.397, P < 0.05) between catalase-like activity in sperm cells and the rate of sperm lipid peroxidation. Seminal plasma alpha-tocopherol levels increased significantly in fish supplemented with alpha-tocopherol alone or in combination with blueberry or astaxanthin. There were negative correlations between seminal plasma alpha-tocopherol levels and lipid peroxidation rates of sperm cells (r= -0.625, P < 0.01) and brain tissue (r= -0.606, P < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of blueberry product or alpha-tocopherol inhibited lipid peroxidation in Arctic char semen. Further experiments are needed to test the effect of dietary blueberry and antioxidants on Arctic char semen quality during liquid and cryopreserved storage.

Barst BD, Wooller MJ, O'Brien DM, Santa-Rios A, Basu N, Köck G, Johnson JJ, Muir DCG. Dried Blood Spot Sampling of Landlocked Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) for Estimating Mercury Exposure and Stable Carbon Isotope Fingerprinting of Essential Amino Acids. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2020 Apr;39(4):893-903. doi: 10.1002/etc.4686.

Abstract. Dried blood spots (DBS), created by applying and drying a whole blood sample onto filter paper, provide a simple and minimally invasive procedure for collecting, transporting, and storing blood. Because DBS are ideal for use in field and resource-limited settings, we aimed to develop a simple and accurate DBS-based approach for assessing mercury (Hg) exposure and dietary carbon sources for landlocked Arctic char, a sentinel fish species in the Arctic. We collected liquid whole blood (from the caudal vein), muscle, liver, and brains of Arctic char (n = 36) from 8 lakes spanning a Hg gradient in the Canadian High Arctic. We measured total Hg concentrations ([THg]) of field-prepared DBS and Arctic char tissues. Across a considerable range, [THg] of DBS (0.04-3.38 μg/g wet wt) were highly correlated with [THg] of all tissues (r2 range = 0.928-0.996). We also analyzed the compound-specific carbon isotope ratios (expressed as δ13 C values) of essential amino acids (EAAs) isolated from DBS, liquid whole blood, and muscle. The δ13 C values of 5 EAAs (δ13 CEAAs ; isoleucine [Ile], leucine [Leu], phenylalanine [Phe], valine [Val], and threonine [Thr]) from DBS were highly correlated with δ13 CEAAs of liquid whole blood (r2 range = 0.693-0.895) and muscle (r2 range = 0.642-0.881). The patterns of δ13 CEAAs of landlocked Arctic char were remarkably consistent across sample types and indicate that EAAs are most likely of algal origin. Because a small volume of blood (~50 µL) dried on filter paper can be used to determine Hg exposure levels of various tissues and to fingerprint carbon sources, DBS sampling may decrease the burdens of research and may be developed as a nonlethal sampling technique. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:893-903. © 2020 SETAC.