Effect of different preservation treatments on the formation of semicarbazide in Litopenaeus vannamei and the potential molecular mechanisms

Abstract

This research was conducted to explore the influence of different preservation treatments, namely sodium hypochlorite (NW), acidic electrolyzed water (AEW), acidic electrolyzed water ice (AEWI) and ozone water (OW) on the production of semicarbazide in Litopenaeus vannamei. Results showed that the level of semicarbazide increased along with the increase of sodium hypochlorite concentration and immersion time. For AEW group, with the increase of soaking time, the content of semicarbazide reached its maximum value after 24 h and then decreased. The semicarbazide content with the AEWI and OW treatments showed a downward trend with time. A strong negative correlation (r = –0.79) was observed between arginine content and semicarbazide in the NW group. For the former three treatment solutions, it was speculated that semicarbazide formation was related to amino acids decomposition with chlorine, while the semicarbazide produced during ozone treatment was presumed to originate from the biological metabolism of Litopenaeus vannamei.