Changes in physiological responses, muscular composition and flesh quality of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus suffering from transport stress

Abstract Transport of living fish is an important operation in fish farms. This study investigated the effect of transport stress on the muscular chemical composition and flesh quality of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fingerlings. Fish were divided into two groups, the control group and the treatment group. The fish in the treatment group were exposed to the transportation process (3.5 h), while the control fish were kept under the normal aquaculture conditions (not-transport). Samples of muscle were collected for assay at several time intervals: before the experiment (basal level), and at 0, 24, 72 and 168 h after transportation process. The obtained results indicated serum cortisol and glucose levels significantly increased in the transported fish compared to non-transported fish directly after transport. Transportation caused significant decrease in water, fat and energy contents of muscle after 24 h compared to other time intervals and non-transported fish. Muscle pH and shearing force significantly decreased at time 0 h, and then augmented after 24 h thereafter reduced again after 72 h and again improved at 168 h after transportation. Compared to the control group, transported fish exhibited the highest values in drip loss, stored loss, and frozen leakage rate. It is concluded that the transportation process results in marked changes in muscular chemical composition and reduces the flesh quality of I. punctatus fingerlings. A recovery period of 168 h is recommended to reduce the consequences of the transportation stress. Statement of relevance This work would tell us the effect of transport on muscular biochemical profiles and flesh quality of catfish, and help us to determine the duration that the fish needs to recover from the transportation stress.