Effect of extra oxygen on Apostichopus japonicus life sustainability during commercial transport

Abstract

Apostichopus japonicus (A. japonicus), the main trade sea cucumber species, is one of Asia's top five luxury seafoods. Commercially, live seafood has a higher value than processed seafood products. A. japonicus can easily self-melt due to its lack of a protective exoskeleton, making it difficult to transport to the consumers living in inland markets. In this study, live A. japonicus were tested to determine this species-appropriate storage surroundings, time and temperature ranges that maintains the species' optimal quality during transport. The status score, water quality, and low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) analysis were used to evaluate the transportation effect on live sea cucumber species. Testing revealed that at 4 °C, an A. japonicus could stay in excellent condition for 6 days and in good condition for 8 days. The results indicated a combination of seawater with oxygen as most effective to maintain a quality product during storage and transportation. This research also demonstrated that LF-NMR analysis could be developed into a rapid and undamaged technique to monitor live seafood's health condition. Our research would help this high-value seafood sell to the markets of inland areas and benefit the commercial growth of the sea cucumber aquaculture industry.