Lactic Acid/Melanosis Inhibitors to Improve Shelf Life of Brown Shrimp ( Penaeus aztecus )

ABSTRACT l‐Lactic acid, sodium bisulfite, and 4‐hexylresorcinol were evaluated, alone and in combination, as melanosis and microbial spoilage inhibitors on brown shrimp ( Penaeus aztecus ). No effect on the microbiological shelf life of treated shrimp was observed. 4‐Hexylresorcinol functioned exceptionally well as a melanosis inhibitor, alone and in combination with. l‐lactic acid. However, extensive bacterial growth was demonstrated in the 4‐hexylresorcinol dip solution during normal storage on deck, creating the potential for a heavy bacterial inoculation of shrimp during a typical dipping process. Addition of l‐lactic acid to the 4‐hexylresorcinol dip solution prevented bacterial growth in the dip solution and did not diminish melanosis inhibition.