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Flesh Quality in Snapper, Pagrcrs auratus , Affected by Capture Stress
Author(s) -
LOWE T.E.,
RYDER J.M.,
CARRAGHER J.F.,
WELLS R.M.G.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1993.tb09355.x
Subject(s) - flesh , pagrus , fish <actinopterygii> , zoology , biology , fishery
Muscle metabolites in resting, tank acclimated snapper, Pagrus auratus , were monitored for 72 hr postmortem and compared with values from exercised or commercially caught fish. The physiological status of the live animal was quantified by plasma cortisol and blood chemistry. Cortisol levels were lowest in unstressed controls (6.8 ± 2.1 ng mL −1 ) while exercised laboratory fish had highest levels (67.7 ± 11.2 ng mL −1 ). Control fish maintained a constant K‐value for 72 hr in chilled storage; all other groups had significant increases. Onset of rigor development and muscle ATP depletion was delayed in unstressed fish and was more rapid in line‐captured than exercised fish. Commercial users minimizing stress would maintain high flesh quality.