Postmortem Biochemical and Functional Characteristic of Monterey Sardine Muscle Stored at 0 °C

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Postmortem changes of sardine muscle during 15 d storage at 0 °C were studied to evaluate its quality and functionality. No microbial deterioration was detected since trimethylamine and histamine concentration remained low with final values of ≤ 1.62 mg/100g and 0.00018 ppm, respectively. A final proteolytic activity ≤ 20 μg Tyrosine/min/g protein was detected. Lipid oxidation from moderate to advanced was detected after day 5 with values of 31.8 to 33.9 meq/kg and 26 mg/kg for peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid value respectively. Muscle protein showed no gel‐forming ability. Extraction of myofibrillar protein decreased 45% and 81% at day 5 and 15 respectively. Overall results indicated that good quality was maintained during the storage period with a final K value of 50.7% when proper handling practices were implemented.