Changes in free amino acids of hake (Merluccius merluccius L.) muscle during frozen storage/Cambios producidos en los aminoácidos libres del músculo de merluza (Merluccius merluccius L.) durante su conservación en estado congelado

Abstract

The effect of storage at subzero temperatures (-5°C, -12°C, and -20°C) on hake ( Merluccius merluccius L.) muscle free-amino acid fraction was evaluated. A significant increase in free aspartic acid, serine, threonine, arginine, β-alanine, tyrosine, methionine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine was found at -5°C, whereas at -12°C, a significant decrease in free glutamic acid, glycine, methyl-histidine, β-alanine, taurine, alanine, and leucine was the most noticeable. No changes in the free amino acid fraction were observed at -20°C. Activity of different kind of enzymes, aminopeptidases, aminoacid deaminases, and decarboxylases might be involved in the changes observed at -5°C and -12°C.