Abstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pre-slaughter carbon dioxide (CO2) anesthesia (directly percussive blow to the head as control group) on the flesh quality of Tilapia. Then the processed Tilapia were vacuum-packed in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags and stored at 1±1 ℃. Rigor mortis, muscle pH, weight loss, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), sensory evaluation, texture hardness and shear force were measured over a 7 d time span. Results showed that carbon dioxide narcosis prolonged the pre-rigor period of the fillet; pH of muscle was higher initially while decreased in the end. Weight loss of both methods had no significant difference after 3 d post-mortem.But from 4th day to 7th day, weight loss of CO2 anesthesia group was significantly lower than the control group. Except for post-mortem of the 0 d, 4th day and 5th day, TVB-N value of CO2 anesthesia group was obviously lower than the control group. No evident difference in the texture deterioration and sensory qualities were found between the two group, but hardness, shear force and sensory quality of the sample at 7th day were dramatically lower than that at 0 day. The pre-slaughter method of CO2 anesthesia, combined with all quality indicators, was more suitable to process tilapia flesh than percussive stunning.