Prevention of metmyoglobin formation in the red muscles of the yellowtail by intravenous injection of the selenium-containing antioxidant selenoneine

The selenium-containing imidazole compound selenoneine (2selenylNa, Na, Natrimethyl Lhistidine) was injected into yellowtail intravenously, and allet was prepared 18 h after the injection. The selenoneine concentration in the red blood cells (RBCs) and red muscle were higher in the selenoneine-injectedsh than in the control (water-injected) ˆsh. A close correlation was detected between the selenoneine concen- tration in the RBCs and that in red muscle. In addition, a negative correlation was noted between the selenoneine concentration in the red muscle and the ROS level in the plasma. After thesh were killed, the ˆllets were stored on ice for 72 h, and meat slices were then prepared and stored for an additional 24 h at 4 ° C. The change in meat color in the selenoneine-injectedsh was delayed, and the avalue of the red muscle was conserved compared with that in the controlsh. Therefore, selenoneine was found to be responsible for the prevention of met-Mb formation in the red muscle of yellowtail.