Effect of low temperature treatments on K+-induced melanosome aggregation in melanophores of cultured red sea bream.

The color tone of cultured red sea bream Pagrus major quickly becomes dark immediately after death, which reduces the commercial value of the fish. The effects of several temperature treatments and different concentrations of K+ on the skin color of red sea bream and on melanosome movements in melanophores were investigated to prevent darkening of the skin color. Soaking solutions containing 300mmol/ι K+ induced the aggregation of melanosomes in the skin and prevented skin darkening. The aggregation effects were enhanced by storage at low temperatures, such as 0 and 4°C. It is concluded that soaking in solutions containing K+ followed by storage at low temperatures is useful to maintain the vivid skin color of the cultured red sea bream.

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