Influence of gonadal stage of hake (Merluccius hubbsi Marini) on biochemical properties of myofibrils stored at 2 to 4 degrees C

The influence of the gonadal stage of hake on the biochemical properties of myofibrils stored at 2 to 4 degreesC was studied. At 0 time and during sto rage, both Mg2+-Ca2+-ATPase activity and Ca2+ sensitivity of myofibrils fro m 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 myofibri ls from pre-spawned hake showed a partially denatured myosin heavy chain. T he 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 m yofibrils were observed.