Influence of Gonadal Stage of Hake ( Merluccius Hubbsi Marini) on Biochemical Properties of Myofibrils Stored at 2 to 4 °C

ABSTRACT: The influence of the gonadal stage of hake on the biochemical properties of myofibrils stored at 2 to 4 °C was studied. At 0 time and during storage, both Mg 2+ ‐Ca 2+ ‐ATPase activity and Ca 2+ sensitivity of myofibrils from post‐spawned hake were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those of pre‐spawned fish. The profiles of SDS‐PAGE gels of unstored and stored myofibrils from pre‐spawned hake showed a partially denatured myosin heavy chain. The actin‐myosin ratio in myofibrils from pre‐spawned hake was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the ratio in post‐spawned hake. Irrespective of the gonadal condition of fish, no changes in the myosin‐actin ratio of stored myofibrils were observed.