Texture properties of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Effects of diet, muscle fat content and time of storage on ice

Groups of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed diets with low or high fat content were stored on ice for up to 11 days in two separate experiments. After 4, 9 and 11 days storage on ice in the first experiment and after 5, 8 and 11 days in the second experiment the fish were filleted by hand and fillet gaping was evaluated. Texture properties were studied using an Instron compression test. pH was measured in all fillets. In fillets from the second experiment, also fat content and autolytic protease activity were measured. Diet affected fillet fat content and texture properties. Fish fed high fat diet exerted less resistance against compression, indicating a softer consistency. Force at yield point and slope were not significantly affected by diet. The high fat group had higher autolytic protease activity than the low fat group. The results from the Instron measurements indicated that the fish became softer and less tough during 11 days storage on ice. A slight, but statistically significant increase in pH with time was observed in both experiments. In the first experiment a reduction in gaping scores was observed during storage, as opposed to a significant increase in the second experiment. The texture parameters yield point and slope were negatively correlated to gaping in the second experiment.