Red Flesh in Redfish, Sebastes marinus (L.)

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Templeman, Wilfred, Sandeman, E. J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1958
• Subjects: General Medicine; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f58-035; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f58-035

Occasional fillets of redfish salmon red in colour have been found in the Newfoundland area. A portion of a minced pair of the red fillets was extracted with acetone and the absorption spectrum of the solution measured at various wavelengths from 350 to 700 mμ. Maximum absorption was obtained at 475 mμ, which is similar to that of astaxanthin in acetone. An acetone extract of normal whitish-coloured redfish fillets showed no appreciable absorption over this range of wavelengths. Instances of red coloration of the flesh are also noted in haddock, cod and saithe.