Inhibition of Shrimp Melanosis by 4-Hexylresorcinol

Abstract

4-Hexylresorcinol is an effective processing aid for the inhibition of shrimp melanosis (blackspot) in both laboratory and field trails. The compound is a potent inhibitor of shrimp polyphenol oxidase. A one minute dip in 50 ppm 4-hexylrezorcinol in sea water is sufficient to inhibit melanosis for up to 14 day of ice storage. The inhibitor has not negative effects on shrimp orgainoleptic quality and residual level on treated product are typically ¡Ü1 ppm (Iyengar, R., Bohmont, C.W., and McEvily, A.J. 1991. J. Food Comp. Anal. In press). 4-Hexylresorcinol can be used in traditional dip procedures by simple substitution for sulfating agents and requires no changes in downstream processing of the shrimp product.