Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 2:10 PM
To: seafood@ucdavis.edu
Subject: sodium tripolyphosphate test kits
Does anyone know of a reliable simple technique or ideally a "test kit" for
sodium tripolyphosphate in shrimp and scallops? This doesn't need to be too
accurate but needs to confirm presence or not of the chemical.
=================================
The answer is "none." I contacted a leading phosphates expert in the U.S. Here is the reply:
"People think they have some options but there are none to date.
For example, one "consultant" says to place a scallop (or shrimp) into a
glass of water and stir it vigorously. If a foam develops, it has been
phosphate treated. Now tell me, if a child blows air through a straw into
a glass of milk does it not bubble? Foam development is one form of
protein denaturation that occurs with or without added phosphate. This is
the same as beating egg whites to prepare a meringue."
Pamela Tom
University of California Sea Grant Extension Program
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