Effect of 4-Hexylresorcinol and Sodium Metabisulphite on Spoilage and Melanosis Inhibition in Xiphopenaeus kroyeri Shrimps

Abstract

Nutritional value of Xiphopenaeus kroyeri as well as the effect of 4-hexylresorcinol and sodium metabisulfite on its spoilage and melanosis formation were determined. Data indicated that X. kroyeri is an interesting source of proteins and essential minerals, but with low lipid and energy content. The discard of the cephalothorax allowed to reduce significantly (P < 0.05) both the deterioration of physicochemical (i.e., TVB-N, TMA-N, NPN and pH) and microbial properties (i.e., mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts) in shrimps. The immersion in sodium metabisulfite also decreased significantly (P < 0.05) both the physicochemical and microbial deterioration of X. kroyeri. Nevertheless, treatments with 4-hexylresorcinol showed a higher efficacy to control the production of TVB-N, TMA-N, NPN and blackspots, as well as it avoids the presence of residual sulfite in shrimps. In addition, internal processes seemed to have a higher effect on the deterioration of X. kroyeri than the microbial development. Practical Applications Xiphopenaeus kroyeri is the most caught and commercialized shrimp in Brazil, but its market value and consumer acceptability is drastically reduced by the appearance of melanosis. This study focused on 4-hexylresorcinol because it is less hazardous for the health of consumers and more environmentally friendly than sodium metabisulfite. The data obtained in this study demonstrated that the discard of the cephalothorax combined with the immersion in 4-hexylresorcinol resulted in a highly effective treatment to slow down the deterioration and melanosis formation of chilled X. kroyeri shrimps.