Valuation of cultured spotted halibut Verasper variegatus by comparing with cultured plaice Paralichthys olivaceus

Cultured spotted halibut Verasper variegatus of which distribution will be expected to increase in the near future, was evaluated in several quality i ndices by comparing with cultured plaice Paralichthys olivaceus. Spotted halibut had a low mortality rate during transportation. Rigor morti s which is utilized as an index for freshness and ATP consumption showed a slower process than plaice. Shear force of muscle showed over two times tha t of plaice. Collagen content was almost the same between the two fish musc les, but in the connective tissue which excluded the myocommata, the collag en content was significantly more than in plaice. No difference in the musc le structure according to the light microscopy suggested that the differenc e in the muscle texture would be influenced by the collagen of endomysium. According to these results, spotted halibut is superior in many respects to plaice and would be expected to be a major cultured fish in the near futur e.