Search

White muscle high-energy phosphate levels showed that the bleeding procedure applied during slaughter of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) did not overshadow the total pre-slaughter handling stress. The energy status of the muscle seemed to increase as a result of bleeding and the bleeding per se did not have adverse effects on flesh freshness resulting from excessive handling stress. The time for onset of rigor mortis and rigor strength were clearly related to the initial stress level and the rate of ATP depletion. The onset of rigor in stressed fish occurred about one day earlier compared with rested fish and the stressed fish also became stiffer.