HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN VEINED RAPA WHELK MUSCLES (RAPANA VENOSA) AFTER FROZEN STORAGЕ

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to establish the effect of freezing on the histological structure of veined rapa whelk (Rapana venosa). METHODS: Two hundred veined rapa whelks were collected from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Forty veined rapa whelks were subjected to histological analysis in the fresh state, while the remaining 160 veined rapa whelks were divided into 4 groups and frozen in a conventional freezer at -18ºС for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. RESULTS: The histological assessment revealed irreversible damages in the entire structure. The observed changes were the smallest after 3 months and the greatest after 12 months of frozen storage. CONCLUSIONS: The histological finding can be used to distinguish fresh from frozen and thawed veined rapa whelks when making an official control.

Keywords

• rapana venosa
• freezing
• histological changes