1Monbetsu Branch of Abashiri Fisheries Experimental Station, Hokkaido 094-0011, 2Department of Food Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Fisheries, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan.
Seasonal variation of chemical components was examined in the adductor muscle of scallop Patinopecten yessoensis that was harvested at Monbetsu from March to November 1998. The adductor muscle weight and glycogen content increased from spring to summer, and decreased from autumn to winter. While the protein content was highest in October, the content of protein per sample was highest in August. The relation between glycogen and protein contents on a dry matter basis showed a converse correlation. Total amounts of ATP and its related compounds and free amino acid were highest in July and June, respectively. The level of glutamic acid was remarkably high in May after the spawning season. The levels of glycine, alanine, arginine and proline showed an annual cycle with a maximum in summer. These results suggest that scallop adductor muscle of this area is most palatable in summer.