Abstract
Authors found that the phthalein value of dead fish decreased gradually with the time, suggesting the possibility of estimating the time elapsed after the death.
The me ?? surement of Phthalein value was proposed by HATTORI and AKIBA for determining the toxic strength of Tapes philippinarum and its principle consisted in the determination of maximum dilution where the red color restored when the reduced phenolphthalein-KOH solution, 30 per cent acetic acid solution and 3 per cent H2O2 solution were added to the aqueous extracts of muscle. Volatile basic nitrogen, pH and putrid odour as well as P-value were measured on various living fishes, molluscs and crustaceans.
1. The P-values of fishes obtained immediately after the death varied with the species ranging from
2 to 10 (Tab. 1).
2. At about 0.1 of P-value the fishes were seemed to be putrefied (Tab. 2).
3. In case of molluscs and crustaceans, initial P-values were larger than those of fishes and the rates of lowering were smaller.
