Skip to main content
Log in

Prospect of fluorescence fingerprints for the noninvasive sensing of seafood freshness: a review

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Fisheries Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seafood is one of the most traded food commodities in the world. Traditionally, frozen seafood is evaluated using destructive chemical methods, which are complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, this study proposed a noninvasive method for evaluation of frozen seafood, focusing on fluorescence fingerprints (FFs). FFs, also known as an excitation–emission matrix (EEM), refer to an arranged fluorescence spectrum of emission stimulated by different excitation wavelengths. As FFs is a set of fluorescence spectra acquired at consecutive excitation wavelengths, it produces a three-dimensional diagram that is composite fluorescence of every fluorophore, similar to a fingerprint. Compared with conventional fluorescence spectroscopy, the FFs technique can measure complex samples that contain many fluorophores, because it includes emission spectra excited at many different excitation wavelengths. In this review, the applications of FFs technology for nondestructive prediction of seafood quality are summarized. Postmortem metabolism and seafood freshness indices are discussed comprehensively. We have also introduced multidimensional fluorescence imaging, a combination of FFs and imaging techniques for visualizing seafood product quality. Finally, the advantages of the FFs technique for nondestructive evaluation of seafood quality, even at the frozen state, over traditional methods and previous fluorescent spectroscopic techniques are enumerated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig.12
Fig.13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe H, Shimizu C, Matsuura F (1976) Occurrence and distribution of NAD (P) splitting enzymes in fish tissues. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 42:703–711 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agustini TW, Suzuki T, Hagiwara T, Ishizaki S, Tanaka M, Takai R (2001) Change of K value and water state of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares meat stored in a wide temperature range (20 °C to − 84°C). Fish Sci 67:306–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alasalvar C, Taylor KDA, Öksüz A, Shahidi F, Alexis M (2002) Comparison of freshness quality of cultured and wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). J Food Sci 67(9):3220–3226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ando M, Joka M, Mochizuki S, Satoh K, Tsukamasa Y, Makinodan Y (2001) Influence of death struggle on the structural changes in chub mackerel muscle during chilled storage. Fish Sci 67:744–751

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aubourg S, Pérez-Martin R, Medina I, Gallardo JM (1992) Fluorescence formation during albacore (Thunnus alalunga) thermal processing. Z Lebensm Unters Forch 195:332–335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aubourg SP, Sotelo CG, Pérez-Martín R (1998) Assessment of quality changes in frozen sardine (Sardina pilchardus) by fluorescence detection. J Am Oil Chem Soc 75:575–580

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bekhit AED, Faustman C (2005) Metmyoglobin reducing activity. Meat Sci 71:407–439

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bito M (1978) Changes in NAD and ATP levels and pH in frozen-stored skipjack meat, in relation to amount of drip. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 44:897–902 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bito M (1980) Effect of degradation of NAD and ATP in frozen-stored sardine meat on the changes of pH and amount of drip in the thawed meat. Bull Tokai Reg Fish Res Lab 103:65–72 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bui MV, Rahman MM, Nakazawa N, Okazaki E, Nakauchi S (2018) Visualize the quality of frozen fish using fluorescence imaging aided with excitation-emission matrix. Opt Express 26:22954–22964

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang CY, Chang CC, Hsiao TC (2013) Fluorescence intrinsic characterization of excitation-emission matrix using multi-dimensional ensemble empirical mode decomposition. Int J Mol Sci 14:22436–22448

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen J, Nørgaard L, Bro R, Engelsen SB (2006) Multivariate autofluorescence of intact food systems. Chem Rev 106:1979–1994

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis HK (1982) Fluorescence of fish muscle: description and measurement of changes occurring during frozen storage. J Sci Food Agric 33:1135–1142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dufour É, Frencia JP, Kane E (2003) Development of a rapid method based on front-face fluorescence spectroscopy for the monitoring of fish freshness. Food Res Int 36:415–423

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton JK, Alcivar-Warren A, Kenny JE (2012) Multidimensional fluorescence fingerprinting for classification of shrimp by location and species. Environ Sci Technol 46:2276–2282

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ElMasry G, Nagai H, Moria K, Nakazawa N, Tsuta M, Sugiyama J, Okazaki E, Nakauchi S (2015) Freshness estimation of intact frozen fish using fluorescence spectroscopy and chemometrics of excitation–emission matrix. Talanta 143:145–156

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ElMasry G, Nakazawa N, Okazaki E, Nakauchi S (2016) Non-invasive sensing of freshness indices of frozen fish and fillets using pretreated excitation-emission matrices. Sens Actu B 228:237–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fukuda Y (1996) Denaturation by freezing of fish muscle proteins. Bull Natl Res Inst Fish Sci 8:77–92 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fukushima H, Maeda T, Fukuda Y (2012) Biochemical changes of fish during catch and subsequent short-term rearing. In: Fukuda Y, Watabe S (eds) Quality improvement of coastal fish and marine invertebrates—achievement by short-term rearing and associated systems for transportation and marketing. Koseisha Koseikaku, Tokyo, pp 35–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamada-Sato N, Usui K, Kobayashi T, Imada C, Watanabe E (2005) Quality assurance of raw fish based on HACCP concept. Food Control 16:301–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto A, Arai K (1985) The effect of pH on the thermostability of fish myofibrils. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 51:99–105 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hassoun A (2021) Exploring the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy for the discrimination between fresh and frozen-thawed muscle foods. Photochem 1:247–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huss HH, Sigsgaard P, Jensen SA (1985) Fluorescence of fish bones. J Food Prot 48:393–396

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Imamura S, Suzuki M, Okazaki E, Murata Y, Kimura M, Kimiya T, Hiraoka Y (2012) Prevention of thaw-rigor during frozen storage of bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus and meat quality evaluation. Fish Sci 78:177–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Inohara K, Kurogi S, Onoue Y, Hamada M, Tamotu S, Kimura I (2014) Suppressive effect of ATP contained in muscle on the browning of amberjack Seriola dumerili dark muscle during frozen storage. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 80:965–972 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones NR, Murray J (1966) Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and reduced NAD in living and chill-stored dying muscle of cod, Gadus Callarias. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 32:197–203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karoui R, Blecker C (2011) Fluorescence spectroscopy measurement for quality assessment of food systems—a review. Food Bioproc Tech 4(3):364–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karoui R, Thomas E, Dufour E (2006) Utilisation of a rapid technique based on front-face fluorescence spectroscopy for differentiating between fresh and frozen–thawed fish fillets. Food Res Int 39:349–355

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karube I, Matsuoka H, Suzuki S, Watanabe E, Toyama K (1984) Determination of fish freshness with an enzyme sensor system. J Agric Food Chem 32:314–319

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Konno K, Ochiai Y, Fukuda Y (2010) Quality control of tuna meat through optimization of fishing and handling. Koseisha-Koseikaku, Tokyo, pp 1–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakowicz JR (2006) Principles of fluorescence spectroscopy. Springer, Boston, pp 1–673

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao Q, Suzuki T, Yasushi K, Al RD, Kuramoto M, Kondo N (2017) Monitoring red sea bream scale fluorescence as a freshness indicator. Fishes 2:10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao Q, Suzuki T, Shirataki Y, Kuramoto M, Kondo N (2018) Freshness related fluorescent compound changes in Japanese dace fish (Tribolodon hakonensis) eye fluid during storage. Eng Agric Environ Food 11:95–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manohar SV (1969) Some properties of the fluorescence of fish muscle. J Fish Res Bd Can 26:1368–1371

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishima T, Nonaka T, Okamoto A, Tsuchimoto M, Ishiya T, Tachibana K, Tsuchimoto M (2005) Influence of storage temperatures and killing procedures on post-mortem changes in the muscle of horse mackerel caught near Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Fish Sci 71:187–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitsuhashi T, Kojima E, Kawaku Y (2013) The postmortem changes of a Japanese spiny lobster. Rep Res Inst Sci Liv Nihon Univ 36:1–13 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriya K, Nakazawa N, Osako K, Okazaki E (2017) Influence of subzero temperature treatment before thawing on anaerobic metabolism, pH and dark meat color in frozen club mackerel Scomber japonicus. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 83:785–794 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murata M, Ando M, Sakaguchi M (1995) Freshness and palatability of fish meat. Nippon Shokuhin Kagaku Kogaku Kaishi 42:462–468 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakazawa N, Okazaki E (2017) Effect of freezing and storage conditions on the quality of seafood. Advanced freezing distribution technology and quality control of marine products: enabling global distribution of high quality marine products. Koseisha Koseikaku. pp 36–59 (in Japanese)

  • Nakazawa N, Okazaki E (2020) Recent research on factors influencing the quality of frozen seafood. Fish Sci 86:1444–2906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakazawa N, Fukushima H, Wada R, Fukuda Y, Okazaki E (2016) Maintenance of pH and quality of thawed bigeye tuna meat by temperature control before thawing. Trans JSRAE 33:197–204 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakazawa N, Maeda T, Fukushima H, Wada R, Tanaka R, Okazaki E (2019) Effect of cooling conditions on the ATP content and pH of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus meat. Trans JSRAE 36:49–56 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakazawa N, Wada R, Fukushima H, Tanaka R, Kono S, Okazaki E (2020) Effect of long-term storage, ultra-low temperature, and freshness on the quality characteristics of frozen tuna meat. Int J Refrig 112:270–280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakazawa N, Fuchiyama Y, Shimamori S, Shibayama S, Okumura K, Maeda T, Okazaki E (2022) Effects of treatment at a subzero temperature on pH, water retention, and metabolites in spotted mackerel (Scomber australasicus) muscle. LWT Food Sci Technol 154:112591

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishiguchi S, Fukuda T, Ando M, Tsukamasa Y (2020) Effect of temperature treatment before thawing on NAD+ and ATP concentrations in frozen fish meats prepared by instant killing and quick freezing and on pH after thawing. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 86:494–501 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogata Y, Iwane R, Kimura I (2018) Properties of muscle protein of freeze-thawed olive flounder containing a high concentration of ATP when being frozen. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 84:835–842

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okazaki E (2020) Refrigeration of fishery products. In: Food refrigeration technology (revised edition in Japanese). Trans JSRAE, Tokyo, pp 65–104

  • Pong CY, Chiou TK, Ho MA, Jiang ST (2000) Effect of polyethylene package on the metmyoglobin reductase activity and color of tuna muscle during low temperature storage. Fish Sci 66:384–389

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MM, Shibata M, Nakazawa N, Hagiwara T, Osako K, Okazaki E (2016) Effects of pH on the fluorescence fingerprint of ATP. Trans JSRAE 33:405–410

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MM, Shibata M, ElMasry G, Nakazawa N, Nakauchi S, Hagiwara T, Osako K, Okazaki E (2019) Expeditious prediction of post-mortem changes in frozen fish meat using three-dimensional fluorescence fingerprints. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 83:901–913

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MM, Bui MV, Shibata M, Nakazawa N, Rithu MN, Yamashita H, Sadayasu K, Tsuchiyama K, Nakauchi S, Hagiwara T, Osako K (2021) Rapid noninvasive monitoring of freshness variation in frozen shrimp using multidimensional fluorescence imaging coupled with chemometrics. Talanta 224:121871

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MM, Shibata M, Nakazawa N, Rithu MNA, Nakauchi S, Hagiwara T, Osako K, Okazaki E (2022) Non-destructive approach for the prediction of pH in frozen fish meat using fluorescence fingerprints in tandem with chemometrics. Fishes 7:364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MM, Shibata M, Nakazawa N, Rithu MNA, Okazaki E, Nakauchi S (2023) Potential of fluorescence fingerprints for fish meat authentication: differences in freshness evaluation in white and dark meat at frozen state. J Food Sci 88:5339–5354. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16825

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saito T, Arai K, Matsuyoshi M (1959) A New method for estimating the freshness of fish. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 24:749–750

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakata K, Matsumiya M, Mochizuki A, Ootake S (1985) Thiol proteases in the ordinary muscle of Pacific mackerel. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 51:1865–1870 ((in Japanese with English abstract))

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shibata M, ElMasry G, Moriya K, Rahman MM, Miyamoto Y, Ito K, Nakazawa N, Nakauchi S, Okazaki E (2018) Smart technique for accurate monitoring of ATP content in frozen fish fillets using fluorescence fingerprint. LWT-Food Sci Technol 92:258–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shikama K (1986) A controversy on the mechanism of autoxidation of oxymyoglobin and oxyhemoglobin. Biophysics 26:83–88 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu C, Abe K, Matsuura F (1969) Levels of oxidized and reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotides in fish tissues. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 35:1034 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sugawara T, Nomura Y, Kato S, Yoshioka T, Kinoshita Y, Oda I (2010) Fluorescence spectroscopy in analysis of raw scallop adductor muscle. Rep Hokkaido Ind Technol Center 11:21–24 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sugawara T, Nomura Y, Kato S, Yoshioka T, Kinoshita Y, Oda I (2012) A study of evaluation of freshness by fluorescence spectroscopy in analysis of raw squid mantle muscle. Rep Hokkaido Ind Technol Center 12:50–52 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sugiyama J, Tsuta M (2013) Discrimination and quantification technology for food using fluorescence fingerprint. Nippon Shokuhin Kagaku Kogaku Kaishi 60:457–465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukamasa Y, Nakamura K, Nagato T, Yamamoto K, Morita T, Hiraoka T, Fukuda T, Itoh T, Ando M (2018) Study on the delay of discoloration of frozen skipjack katsuwonus pelamis meat. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 84:111–118 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UAP Ltd (2000) An introduction to fluorescence spectroscopy. PerkinElmer Inc., Buckinghamshire

    Google Scholar 

  • Ushio H, Watabe S, Iwamoto M, Hashimoto K (1991) Ultrastructural evidence for temperature dependent Ca2+ release from fish sarcoplasmic reticulum during rigor mortis. Food Struct 10:267–275

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Usui K, Fushikuro T, Funayama T (2013) Study of improvement in quality of spotted mackerel (Scomber australasicus) by instant killing and bleeding. Bull Kanagawa Prefect Fish Technol Center 6:55–61 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Voet D, Voet J G, Pratt C W (2014) Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. In: Fundamentals of biochemistry: life at the molecular level, Tokyo Kagaku Dojin, Tokyo, pp 638–673 (in Japanese)

  • Watabe S (1991) Biochemical changes during the progression of rigor mortis. In: Rigor Mortis in Fish. Koseisha Koseikaku, Tokyo, pp 9–20 (in Japanese)

  • Watabe S, Kamal M, Hashimoto K (1991) Postmortem changes in ATP, creatine phosphate, and lactate in sardine muscle. J Food Sci 56:151–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson C, Bourke R, Brill RW (1988) A comprehensive theory on the etiology of burnt tuna. Fish Bull 86:367–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Wencel D, Abel T, McDonagh C (2014) Optical chemical pH sensors. Anal Chem 86:15–29

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamanaka H (1984) Influence of freezing rates on the extent of thaw rigor and glycolysis of carp muscle. Refrigeration 59:11–16

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama Y, Sakaguti M (1998) ATP metabolism in muscle after death of fish/shellfish and related items. Compar Physiol Biochem 15:193–200 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama Y, Sakaguchi M, Kawai F, Kanamori M (1994) Chemical indices for assessing freshness of shellfish during storage. Fish Sci 60(3):329–333

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was partially supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (JSPS no. 22F22088) provided by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan. We thank to Editage for the English proof reading of this manuscript.

Funding

The funding has been received from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science with Grant no. 22F22088.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emiko Okazaki.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rahman, M.M., Nakazawa, N., Shibata, M. et al. Prospect of fluorescence fingerprints for the noninvasive sensing of seafood freshness: a review. Fish Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-024-01760-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-024-01760-7

Keywords

Navigation