Omics insights into the mechanisms of flavor changes in Eriocheir sinensis under different restraint methods during live transportation.

Eriocheir sinensis frequently experiences stress from inappropriate restraint during live transportation, impairing animal welfare and edible quality. This study employed flavoromics and metabolomics to investigate the mechanisms linking physiological metabolism with edible quality changes in deteriorated tissues of E. sinensis under different restraint methods. The hepatopancreas was identified as the key tissue of deterioration. The degree of deterioration ranked as follows: net-bag binding (NB) group > plastic-box binding (PB) group > cotton-rope binding (RB) group. Oxidative stress reduced the antioxidant capacity of hepatopancreas, accelerated polyunsaturated fatty acids oxidation, and increased energy consumption. Relevant energy metabolites, as flavor compounds or precursors, largely determine the flavor quality of the hepatopancreas. Compared with Con, 7 key bitter differential oxylipins (KBOPs) were upregulated in the NB, whereas only 1 KBOP was upregulated in the RB and PB. Differential energy metabolites and oxylipins primarily involved glutathione metabolism, ferroptosis, alcoholic liver disease, arachidonic acid metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism. Molecular docking suggested that KBOPs contribute to bitterness and may increase cardiovascular risk. This study clarifies the metabolism-quality link, supporting the development of aquatic live-keeping technologies.