A SULFITE-FREE TREATMENT INHIBITS BLACKSPOT FORMATION IN PRAWNS

A new commercial product Everfresh(R) which contains 4-hexylresorcinol , an inhibitor of polyphenol oxidase which is reported to prevent blac kspot in prawns, was tested on trawled and farmed prawns. In compariso n with sodium metabisulphite treatment, Everfresh(R) provided greater protection against blackspot, particularly on the body of the prawn, d uring storage in ice, in refrigerated sea water then ice, and in ice a fter frozen storage. When used under recommended conditions, 4-hexylre sorcinol residues in the flesh were below 2 mu g/g.