Exsanguination of turbot and the effect on fillet quality measured mechanically, by sensory evaluation, and with computer vision

In order to investigate the impact of blood residues on the end quality of exsanguinated and unbled farmed turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), meat quality was evaluated using mechanical, sensory, and computer imaging techniques. The results show that exsanguination is important for improving the visual appearance, and the blood residue could be quantified using a computer imaging system. After 6d of storage, mechanical analysis using puncture test or shear force showed no difference between exsanguinated and unbled fish. The trained test panel was unable to detect any differences between exsanguinated and unbled fish after 6 and 14d of storage. We conclude that over a 2-wk period the blood residue in turbo meat does not affect texture or sensory quality, but does affect the visual appearance.