A comparison of the color change of dark muscle in cultured Seriola Cuvier (yellowtail, greater amberjack and goldstriped amberjack) during storage

Abstract

The dark muscle of cultured Seriola Cuvier (yellowtail, greater amberjack, goldstriped amberjack) was studied for the purpose of comparing the color change of dark muscle during storage at 23°C and 4°C. The color value (L*, a* and b*), formation of metmyoglobin (MetMb) and formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured during storage. Furthermore, the contents of myoglobin, vitamin C and vitamin E of dark muscle in three species were also measured just after killing. The decrease of a* value and the high relative absorbance ratio by MetMb formation, and the increase of TBARS during both storage conditions were observed more prominently in yellowtail than in the other species. The smallest contents of myoglobin and vitamin E and medium contents of vitamin C were found in yellowtail. These results suggest that low vitamin E content might influence faster color deterioration of the dark muscle in yellowtail than other Seriola.