Degradation regularity of ATP-related compounds in Aristichys nobilis and Epinephelus fuscoguttatus during storage

The changes of ATP-related compounds in Aristichys nobilis and Epinephelus fuscoguttatus were studied during the storage at (4±1) °C and (0±1) °C. Hyperchloric acid was used to precipitate proteins, 6 ATP-related compounds were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed that ATP in both fishes was rapidly degraded at (4±1) °C; ADP, AMP contents were always low; IMP content increased rapidly , then slowly decreased;the content of HxR in A. nobilis was relatively high, however, the content of HxR in E. fuscoguttatus was less; Hx began to largely generate after 4 days; at (0±1) °C, ATP in both fishes was also degraded quickly and ADP and AMP contents were low; IMP degradation rate became slow; the rate of formation and decomposition of HxR in both fishes was slowed down; Hx generation rate was stable. IMP and HxR were rate-limiting steps in A. nobilis, while IMP was rate-limiting step in E. fuscoguttatus. Different storage temperatures had little effect on ATP degradation , but would affect change rate of its associated compounds, and the degradation of ATP-related compounds in different species was also different.