Effect of seasonality and storage temperature on rigor mortis in the adductor muscle of lion's paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus

Abstract

The effect of season and storage at three temperatures (0, 5 and 10°C) was evaluated on the main metabolites and parameters related to rigor mortis. Adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), lactic acid, octopine, pH and sarcomere length in the adductor muscle of lion's paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus were determined. Seasonality influenced the initial values of ATP, octopine and pH, however, no effect was noticed during storage, since a similar effect for the three temperatures evaluated in the four seasons was observed. A lower ATP concentration was found during storage at 0°C than that found in muscle stored at 5 and 10°C. According to the analyses of lactic acid, octopine and pH, the muscle acidification during rigor mortis was independent of lactic acid production. The greater sarcomere lengths for all seasons were in agreement with the highest ATP concentrations, corresponding to the samples stored at 5 and 10°C. Therefore, according to the level of myofibrillar contraction, rigor mortis was lower at 5 and 10°C storage in the four seasons. Hence, it is concluded that the seasonality did not show a significant impact on metabolite and parameter values related to rigor mortis during storage, and that 5°C is the best storage temperature for the adductor muscles during the initial stage of rigor mortis and then reduce it to 0°C, if it is focused to the fresh market.