Evaluation of the effect of live haulage on metabolites and fillet texture of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract

Changes in metabolites and meat texture of pan-sized live rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, were examined following commercial, international road haulage. Significant (P4⁺ and pH were detected during haulage. Transportation decreased (P<0.05) dark muscle glycogen and L-tactate. Textural parameters. including hardness, elasticity, and breakpoint of the raw fillet, were unaffected by the haulage process. Muscle pH increased (P<0.05) both in fish exposed to starvation and transportation when compared to reference fish. The results obtained indicate that haulage has limited effects upon fish flesh quality.