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Effects of short‐term starvation periods on flesh quality in Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus) in different seasons
Author(s) -
Imsland Albert Kjartan Dagbjartarson,
Roth Bjørn,
Bach Christensen Line,
Siikavuopio Sten Ivar,
Foss Atle
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/are.14745
Subject(s) - flesh , starvation , biology , zoology , juvenile , arctic , salvelinus , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , ecology , endocrinology , trout
Possible effects of short‐term starvation on flesh quality in Arctic charr were studied in spring (March) and summer (August). Groups of juvenile Arctic charr (mean weight March 536 g ± 24; August 461 g ± 15 SEM ) were starved for 1, 2 and 4 weeks (March) and 1, 2 and 3 (August). After each starvation period, the fish were slaughtered, and flesh samples collected in order to investigate quality and textural properties in the different experimental groups. Starvation had a positive effect on flesh quality giving firmer texture and lower gaping scores. Starved fish had lower cathepsin activity at slaughter, and a similar difference was seen one‐week post mortem. The results showed that the effect of starvation period was seasonally dependent. Starvation had a larger effect in summer, where a three‐week starvation resulted in firmer texture, whereas this was not seen during spring.