Vibration frequency drives oxidative membrane damage and metabolic remodeling underlying muscle quality deterioration in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) under waterless transport.

Mechanical vibration is unavoidable during waterless live-fish transport, yet the chemical mechanisms driving muscle quality deterioration remain unclear. This study examined the effects of vibration frequency on muscle quality in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco during simulated waterless transport by integrating physicochemical traits, histology, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance, serum redox indices, and untargeted metabolomics. Higher vibration frequencies exacerbated water loss and texture deterioration, accompanied by progressive microstructural disruption and enhanced water mobility. Serum biomarkers indicated intensified oxidative stress, evidenced by increased malondialdehyde and glutathione depletion. Untargeted metabolomics annotated 1117 metabolites and revealed frequency-dependent metabolic remodeling, with pronounced disturbances in glycerophospholipid metabolism and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Key membrane phospholipids and glycosyl donors were depleted under high-frequency vibration, suggesting impaired membrane stability and structural maintenance. Results demonstrate that transportation vibration stress impairs muscle quality via regulating energy metabolism, membrane lipid stability, glycosylation processes, and cell apoptosis, thus providing a theoretical basis to optimize aquaculture transport and improve the quality of flesh quality resilience during waterless transport.