Data for characterization of the optical properties of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) blood

Photoplethysmography is a recent addition to physio‐logging in Atlantic salmon which can be used for pulse oximetry provided that the properties for light propagation in salmon tissues are known. In this work, optical properties of three constituents of Atlantic salmon blood have been characterized using a photo spectrometer in the VIS–NIR range (450–920 nm). Furthermore, Atlantic salmon blood cell size has been measured using a Coulter counter as part of light scattering property evaluations. Results indicate that plasma contributes little to scattering and absorption for wavelengths typically used in pulse oximetry as opposed to blood cells which are highly scattering. Extinction spectra for oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin indicate that Atlantic salmon hemoglobin is similar to that in humans. Pulse oximetry sensors originally intended for human applications may thus be used to estimate blood oxygenation levels for this species. Animal welfare in Atlantic salmon aquaculture can be improved by facilitating novel physiological sensing principles such as pulse oximetry, provided that tissue optical properties are known. In this work, extinction properties of three constituents of Atlantic salmon blood have been characterized using a photo spectrometer in the VIS–NIR (450–920 nm), and blood cell size has been measured using a Coulter counter as part of light scattering property evaluations. Results indicate that pulse oximetry sensors originally intended for human applications may thus be used to estimate blood oxygenation levels for this species.