Freezing influence on the histological structure of Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish the morphological changes in the structure of Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) after frozen storage. Two hundred Mediterranean mussels (M. galloprovincialis) were collected from the Black Sea coastal waters. Forty mussels were subjected to histological analysis in fresh state. The remaining 160 mussels were divided into 4 groups and slowly frozen in a conventional freezer at −18 ℃ and subsequently stored at the same temperature for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. The histological assessment of posterior adductor muscle and foot found a change in their morphological profile and overall structure. The fewest changes in the histostructure were recorded after a 3-month period and the most after a 12-month period of storage in frozen state. The results from that study can be used as an unambiguous marker in selecting optimum conditions for storage of mussels in frozen state