Changes in apoptosis in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) after death: considering the influence of mitochondria and microorganisms

Abstract

The apoptosis of large yellow croaker stored at 4 °C after death and the effects of five microorganisms extracted from fillets on apoptosis indicators were studied. The results showed that mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), apoptosis rate, mitochondrial swelling, caspase activity, and cytochrome c (cyt-c) redox state of samples at 0 h were the highest during postmortem storage (p < 0.05). The continuous opening of MPTP and mitochondrial swelling during postmortem storage led to an increase in cyt-c redox status and affected caspase activity. MPTP opening was significantly affected by the inoculation samples with Acinetobacter haemolyticus and Chryseobacterium (p < 0.05). The samples inoculated with Psychrobacter and Pseudomonas had a significant effect on the cyt-c redox state (p < 0.05). The samples inoculated with Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter haemolyticus had a significant effect on caspase activity (p < 0.05). Although this study found that microorganisms can affect apoptosis, it provides a foundation for future in-depth research. However, apoptosis is affected by a variety of signaling molecules, and in order to explore its specific mechanism, more extensive exploration is needed.