Comprehensive Analysis of Physiological, Biochemical and Flavor Characteristics Changes in Crucian Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) under Different Concentrations of Eugenol

Abstract

Eugenol is a widely used fishery anesthetic. This study investigated the effects of various concentrations of eugenol on blood physiological and biochemical indexes, and muscle flavor, in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). To determine the appropriate concentration of eugenol anesthetic for use in crucian carp transportation and production operations, we evaluated seven anesthesia groups of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 mg/L and one control group (without eugenol) to determine the effects on blood physiological and biochemical indexes, and muscle flavor. The red blood cells and platelets of crucian carp decreased significantly (p p p p p p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in muscle glycogen and liver glycogen content after eugenol anesthesia (p > 0.05). The eugenol-based anesthesia test did not indicate major liver histomorphological effects, but the very small number of gill sheet edema cases observed requires further study. Analysis of electronic nose data indicated that eugenol treatment affected the flavor of the fish. The anesthesia concentration of 20–80 mg/L had some effect on the physiology and biochemistry of crucian carp, thus providing a reference for the application of eugenol in crucian carp transportation and experimental research.

Keywords

• eugenol
• anesthesia
• crucian crap
• physiological and biochemical indexes
• histology
• flavor