Insight into metabolomics analysis of large yellow croaker liver (Larimichthys crocea) during packaging bag transport

The liver metabolomics and related biochemical indices of large yellow croaker were investigated during packaging and oxygenation transport. The large yellow croaker was packed into bags and transported at a constant temperature of 20 ℃. Serum and liver samples were collected after 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h of transportation for subsequent analysis. The results showed that transport time had a significant effect on serum creatinine (CR) and glutamine transaminase (AST) levels, suggesting that the kidney and liver tissues of large yellow croaker were affected. Transport stress impacted the antioxidant capacity of large yellow croaker liver, indicated by increased activities of catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), which altered immune capacity. In the liver metabolome, we identified five metabolic pathways that were enriched based on differential metabolites and compared across different transport times. These pathways include biosynthesis, lipid, cofactor and vitamin, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. These pathways may impact the morphology of liver cells, as well as the antioxidant and immune abilities of large yellow croaker. Additionally, the statistical analysis of the metabolites at each transportation time revealed that histidylarginine and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) pyruvate were consistently downregulated which serve as signature metabolites during live large yellow croaker transportation.