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A literature search was made for data on the concentrations of inosine monophosphate (IMP) and its degradation products, inosine (Ino) and hypoxanthine (Hx), in the flesh of vertebrate fish during storage in ice. Twenty-one publications containing data for forty-five species were selected for review. A mathematical model was developed for analysing the data by assuming that the kinetics of degradation of IMP could be modelled as consecutive first order reactions. The model was fitted to the data and in about half of the cases examined in the review the data suggested that IMP and degradation products were lost by leaching and the kinetic model was extended to allow for this loss. In all of the cases reviewed the mathematical model was a good fit to the experimental data and the reaction rates for the reactions are tabulated in the paper. In all species the concentration of IMP decreased as a first order reaction, but for thirteen of the species examined the enzyme model of IMP to Ino to Hx did not fit the data in that either Ino or Hx did not accumulate in the muscle. There were only a few examples of replications of storage trials within species and comparison of the outcomes of these replications suggested that season or, in the case of farmed fish, genetic stock or cultural practices might influence initial IMP concentrations or reaction rates.

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Trout that had been held in freshwater or in sea water were stored at 0, 5, or 10°C, and in the case of sea-water-held trout, also at 15°C. Samples were taken during storage for analysis of ATP-derived metabolites. The kinetics of degradation of ATP were investigated using two mathematical models, one depending on only endogenous enzymes acting in a sequence of consecutive first order reactions, and one assuming inosine was additionally converted to hypoxanthine by bacterial action. The former model adequately fitted the data from trout held in sea water, but the latter model was a better fit to data from the trout held in freshwater. The activation energy of loss of inosine monophosphate was estimated to be 17.4 kcal mol )1 .

The eating quality of cod kept for different periods in melting ice before being frozen and stored at three different temperatures has been evaluated by a taste panel using a new score sheet. Objective measurements of both initial freshness before freezing and deterioration during frozen storage were carried out on the same samples. Correlations were obtained between the objective measurements and various aspects of eating quality. The relative contributions of the various aspects of eating quality to the final overall acceptability were obtained, and the value of the objective measurements in predicting overall acceptability assessed.