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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184820
Title: OVERVIEW OF AQUI-S RESEARCH TO ASSESS EFFECTS ON CATFISH PHYSIOLOGY AND FILLET QUALITY

Author
item Small, Brian
item Bosworth, Brian

Submitted to: Annual Drug Approval Coodination Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2005
Publication Date: 8/2/2005
Citation: Small, B.C., Bosworth, B.G. 2005. Overview of aqui-s research to assess effects on catfish physiology and fillet quality. Annual Drug Approval Coodination Workshop. Bozeman, MT. pp. 1-4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Channel catfish harvesting and transport can cause elevated levels of blood-born stress factors, such as cortisol, glucose, and lactate, known to affect fillet quality. A relatively new fish anesthetic, AQUI-S, has foodfish approval in Australia, Chile and New Zealand with a no withholding period, and is being reviewed for use with foodfish in the United States. The effect of AQUI-S sedation on plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate dynamics in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was examined during simulated culture and harvesting conditions. AQUI-S sedated catfish had 66% lower plasma cortisol levels and 25% lower plasma glucose levels than unsedated fish following confinement. Sedation with AQUI-S also suppressed plasma cortisol and lactate levels during hypoxia by 75 and 25%, respectively, compared to unsedated fish. Rested-harvest procedures with AQUI-S sedation improved fillet pH, ATP, and lactate concentrations, and resulted in superior appearance (iridescence and color) and lower drip loss, but without improved shelflife. As a sedative, AQUI-S had suppressive effects on channel catfish stress indices during simulated, adverse handling and harvesting conditions, which resulted in improved catfish fillet quality.