4-Hexylresorcinol and prevention of shrimp blackspot: Residual analyses

Abstract

4-Hexylresorcinol is a potent inhibitor of shrimp melanosis or “blackspot” [ A. J. McEvily, R. Iyengar, and W. S. Otwell, 1991. Proceedings of the Fifteenth Tropical and Subtropical Fisheries Technological Conference, Florida Sea Grant Report No. 105, in press]. In order to estimate consumption of 4-hexylresorcinol as a consequence of its use in shrimp blackspot inhibition, residual levels of 4-hexylresorcinol on shrimp were quantified under several processing conditions. Shrimp treated using the recommended dip protocol of a 1-min dip into a 50-ppm 4-hexylresorcinol solution had mean residues s 1 ppm. Exposure to excessive concentrations of 4-hexylresorcinol (100 ppm) or extended dip times (15 min) resulted in increased residual values with a maximum value of 2 ± 0.8 ppm. The safety and functional advantages of 4-hexylresorcinol versus sulfite which is used currently for blackspot inhibition are discussed.