Image Analysis to Quantify Weight-length, Weight-area, and Change of Color of Three Commercial Mullidae Species during Cold Storage

Image analysis was used to quantify weight-length, weight-area, and change of color for three fish caught in the Mediterranean (Red mullet Mullus barbatus, Por's goatfish Upeneus pori, and goldband goatfish Upeneus moluccensis) during 7 days of storage at 4 +/- 1 degrees C. Length-weight data were fitted with a power equation. R-2 ranged from 0.759 to 0.880. U. moluccensis showed an isometric growth, while the others had a negative allometric growth. For the view area (V)-weight relationship, linear and second order polynomial equations were also used in addition to the power equation. The R-2 values for these ranged from 0.895 to 0.952. Average L*, b*, and Delta E values for all fish increased with storage time; but the a* values decreased (P ). The color change index (CCI) of the fish over storage time decreased, suggesting a smoothing of colors. Although its colors changed over time, the yellow band of the goldband goatfish did not change. Correlation of these computer-generated parameters using image analysis would allow quantitative evaluation of fish color with sensory analysis.

Automated summary

Image analysis was used to quantify the weight-length, weight-area, and color change of three types of fish caught in the Mediterranean during storage at low temperature. The study found that the color of the goldband goatfish remained unchanged, while the colors of the other fish changed during storage. Correlation of computer-generated parameters using image analysis allowed for quantitative evaluation of fish color changes.