Changes in Freshness of Chilipepper Rockfish (Sebastes Goodei) During Storage as Measured by Chemical Sensors and Biosensors

Trimethylamine (TMA) and ammonia contents in Chilipepper rockfishes were determined by ion specific electrodes, as a late indicator of fish freshness. After 9 days of storage in ice, TMA contents significantly increased, indicating that bacterial spoilage was in progress. The pattern of changes in ammonia contents was similar to that of TMA. Determination of ATP degradation products in Chilipepper rockfish by HPLC showed that AMP and hypoxanthine levels were low and did not change much during storage. The concentration of IMP initially increased and then continuously decreased as inosine accumulated. Only trace amounts of hypoxanthine were detected in rockfish tissues. Chilipepper rockfish appears to differ from other Sebastes species in that ATP degradation results in inosine accumulation rather than hypoxanthine.