The Relationship between State of Maturity and Chemical Composition of the Whiting, <i>Gadus merlangus</i> L

Abstract

In the whiting, no significant changes occur in the composition of the muscle substance , either throughout the year, or with increasing age, or during ripening of the gonads. The amount of fat in the liver is very low in immature fishes, increasing greatly with age, and reaching its maximum just after the commencement of the ripening of the gonads. It then falls off, reaching its lowest value amongst mature fishes in the “Spent” stages. Males are richer in liver fat than females. Immature fish have a decidedly higher protein content in the liver than have mature fish.