The aim of this work was to assess the effect of several melanosis-inhibiting formulations on quality of deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) during storage. The formulations tested were as follows: one containing 4-hexylresorcinol (0.1%) in combination with organic acids (citric, ascorbic and acetic) and chelating agents (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA] and di-sodium di-hydrogen pyrophosphate [PPi]); a commercial formula based on sulphites (3%), and another formulation containing a mixture of chitosan (0.3%) and commercial sulphites. Non-treated shrimp were used as control. The 4-hexylresorcinol-based formulation was more effective than 3% of commercial sulphite solutions in preventing melanosis. This treatment prolonged the sensory acceptability of shrimp by up to six days in ice storage. During chilled storage, the treatment with the 4-hexylresorcinol-based formula inhibited the growth of microorganisms by 1.5–2 log cycles as compared to commercial sulphites, especially HS-producers and pseudomonads. At the end of the experimental period, TVB-N levels were slightly higher in the lot treated with 4-hexylresorcinol (33 mg/100 mg) and reflected greater endogenous enzymatic activity, since the counts of the spoiler microorganisms remained around log 5 cfu/g or even lower. In general, the incorporation of chitosan to sulphites did not improve or produce a marked effect on shrimps during storage. During the sensory analysis, the panellists rated all the lots very similar, although the 4-hexylresorcinol formulation was the only one with a neutral odour at the end of the period. The 4-hexylresorcinol-based formulation induced yellow-green colorations to some extent in the cephalothorax, possibly due to the effect of organic acids and chelants, while the rest of the lots presented greyish/blackish colorations. Therefore, the formulation based on 4-hexylresorcinol may safely substitute traditional sulphites to improve the quality of fresh shrimp and prolong their shelf life during storage.

This research was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (projects AGL2011-27607, AGL2014-52825-R).

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