Adenosine triphosphate and derivatives as freshness indicators of giltheadsea bream (Sparus aurata)

Intensive production of farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and the d ifferent slaughtering methods and postmortem treatments are prompting a nee d for early indicators to determine fish quality during chilled storage. Ad enosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) and derivatives and their relationship as K v alue were measured in chilled whole and gutted gilthead sea bream killed by immersion in ice water, asphyxia, anesthesia followed by a blow to the hea d, or a blow to the head. ATP derivatives taken independently were not foun d to be useful indicators for this species. The evolution of K value was li near but attained lower final values than in other species. No significant differences were found in relation to the method of slaughter or postmortem treatment.