Preventing melanosis in crustaceans
The EC-funded project CRUSTAMEL focused on the study of melanosis incidence in crustaceans and ways to eradicate it. The effect of 4-hexylresorcinol (HR) as an antimelanotic was evaluated by project partner Turco Espanola. HR performance was examined in terms of potential health hazards to consumers, but also effects on appearance and shelf-life. HR was shown to be an effective antimelanotic when applied through dipping, spraying and dusting. However, certain dipping procedures were shown to damage the crustaceans due to the handling process that was involved. Furthermore, no health hazards to consumers were shown to accompany the use of HR, which resulted in improved crustacean appearance for prolonged periods of time. HR appeared to persist even after a series of washing/dipping steps, but researchers supported that no risks to health were associated with HR. Turco Espanola is now seeking to collaborate with a suitable partner towards the market exploitation of these findings. The company is exploring the formation of joint ventures or other forms of licence agreements in order to produce a final marketable HR-based product.