1Monbetsu Branch of Hokkaido Abashiri Fisheries Experiment Station, Hokkaido 094-0011, 2Department of Food Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Fisheries, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
Changes in the frequency of specimens in rigor, ATP related compounds, L-arginine and octopine were examined in the adductor muscle of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis during storage at 0°C. The scallop was caught in June, September, November 1997 and April 1998 at Monbetsu. The scallop of September decreased in ATP concentration and pH, development of rigor, and increased in octopine, compared with the scallop of April. The development of rigor was different according to the seasons, affecting scallop quality. Sea water temperature was around harvesting areas 18.8°C in September 1997 and 4.4°C in April 1998. It is presumed that rigor of adductor muscle was induced by difference between sea water temperature of the habitat of scallop and storage temperature.