JavaScript is disabled. Please enable to continue!
Print this page

Save this page as a PDF

Mobile search icon
Menu
Food Testing >> Blog >> Shrimp Testing
Search >>

Shrimp Testing

Sidebar Image

  1. Introduction

Shrimps are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Caridea, with a compressed body from side to side, long antennae and legs, a thin and semi-transparent exoskeleton, lamellar gills, and a fan-like tail. They can be found in both fresh and salt water all over the world. Although prawns are technically a different crustacean suborder than shrimp, the taxa are superficially similar, and the terms shrimp and prawn are frequently used interchangeably among non-specialists, especially in culinary contexts. As part of a significant shellfish fishery, shrimps are frequently harvested and raised for human consumption along with prawns. They play a crucial role in food chains ecologically, devouring phytoplankton and zooplankton and being eaten by a variety of fish, birds, and molluscs (1).

Shrimp-Testing-EASI

2.Types of shrimps

Shrimp is widely consumed in North America, South America, Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Shrimp of various varieties are available in various regions. There are over 100 different types of shrimp found in both fresh and salt water, some of which are as follows (2):

White shrimp: These are sweeter than pink shrimp but have a nuttier flavour. There are also farmed Chinese white shrimp and Mexican white shrimp that are not wild caught (usually less sustainable).

Pink shrimp: These are the small pink shrimp found behind the seafood counter. When they're raw, they're pink, hence the name.

Rock shrimp: While rock shrimp begin with hard shells, they are typically deshelled before being sold. Because of their firm texture, they are frequently compared to lobster, and you can substitute them for lobster as a less expensive protein.

Brown shrimp: Brown shrimp have a more mineral flavour than white or pink shrimp and may contain more iodine. They turn pink when cooked and are commonly used in dishes such as gumbo.

Royal red shrimp: Royal red shrimp are named after their bright red colour and are frequently compared to lobster due to their rich flavour and firm texture.

Tiger shrimp: These little guys are distinguished by their stripes and can grow quite large, but they are farmed and not very sustainable.

  1. Shrimp as food

Shrimp is one of the most popular shellfish, dubbed "America's favourite shellfish" by Herbst (2001). Many cultures' cuisines include shrimp recipes as it is a flexible cuisine element that goes well in curries, salads, pasta dishes, soups, and stir-fries. Shrimp is a wonderful source of high-quality protein and minerals. It has vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B3, protein, selenium, carotenoids, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, Omega-3 fat, and astaxanthin (antioxidant). Aside from that, it has a low calorie count and can aid in weight loss when combined with other healthy foods (3).

  1. Regulations

BIS has recently published Indian Feed Standards for Carp, Catfish, Shrimp, and Freshwater Prawn. The Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs announced in a statement that the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying is developing new Indian Standards for Fish Feed by incorporating new species. The Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs is in charge of BIS. According to the statement, BIS hosted a "webinar" (online seminar) on "Indian Standards on Fish Fodder." It was attended by over 100 representatives from industry and government fisheries departments. Stakeholders have been asked to provide feedback on the draught standards by March 15, 2022. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published four Indian Standards for Aqua Feed (5) –

-IS 16150 (Part 1): 2014 Fish Feed – Specification, Part 1 Large Pond Feed

-IS 16150 (Part 2): 2014 Fish Feed – Specification, Part 2 Catfish Feed

-IS 16150 (Part 3): 2014 Fish feed – Specification, Part 3 Sea crab (prawn-like) bait

-IS 16150 (Part 4): 2014 Fish Feed – Specification, Part 4 Freshwater Shrimp Feed

The United States expanded its Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), which mandates reporting and record-keeping for seafood imports, to include shrimp in 2018. Because the United States is India's most important export market, SIMP has had a significant impact on the Indian shrimp industry, particularly when standards are strictly enforced. SIMP is likely to have a negative impact in India due to the country's relatively low traceability standards (6).

Regulations on Antibiotic Use in Aquaculture: According to Notification SO 792 (E) dated August 17, 2001, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Government of India, has informed MRLs of antibiotics and heavy metals in the marine products shipped. Five antibiotics—chloramphenicol, furazolidone, neomycin, nalidixic acid, and sulphamethaxazole—are prohibited according to a MOCI notification, and no residues should be left in the animal's body. In accordance with Regulation 2377/90/EEC, nine substances—chloramphenicol, chloroform, chlorpromazine, colchicine, dapsone, dimetridazole, metronidazole, nitrofurans (including furazolidone), and ronidazole—may not be employed in species that produce food. Such substance residues, including metabolites, are prima facie proof that an animal species used as food has been exposed to illegal (7)

  1. Testing methods:

Real-time PCR is being used more frequently to identify allergies in sea foods to avoid cross-contamination and guarantee food safety, as quick detection of these allergens in the production chain is crucial. PCR confirmation test is used to confirm the presence or absence of crustacean proteins (8). Food fraud in the seafood industry is a concern for importers and trading partners. The water/protein ratio is commonly used in shrimp to assess extraneous water content and identify manipulated products (9).

  1. Eurofins advantage

Eurofins can analyse sea foods to prevent food fraud or mislabelling. Eurofins' comprehensive portfolio of analytical tests includes not only innovative DNA - based species identification of shrimp, but also other parameters to ensure the overall quality and quality control of sea and aquaculture products.

Our Analytical Scope

Chemical Analysis:

  • Main nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fibres, lipids, fatty acids, vitamins amino acids)
  • Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg)
  • Water Analysis as per WHO, IS 4251-IS 10500, IS 14543
  • Dyes
  • Veterinary drug residues
  • Pesticides Residues
  • Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
  • Histamine
  • Authenticity: distinction of breeding / wild origin, differentiation of species
  • Pathogenic bacteria
  • GMOs (screening, identification, quantification of GMOs not tolerated in the product)
  • Migration of packaging materials or that have been in contact with food

Microbiology Analysis:

  • Aerobic plate count
  • Coli
  • Coliforms
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Shigella sps
  • aureus
  • Salmonella sps
  • Yeast & Moulds
  • cereus
  • Listeria Monocytogenes
  • Vibrio Cholerae
  • Vibrio Parahaemolyticus
  • Clostridium botulinum
  • Other Tests
  • Shelf-life studies
  • Migration of packaging materials or that have been in contact with food

Our additional services:

  • Sampling on site, in accordance with national / international standards
  • Control of your process water, domestic hot water, TAR water and waste water
  • Training of your teams on issues related to quality control, hygiene and HACCP
  • Benefits of Eurofins:
  • Fast delivery times
  • High analysis capacity
  • Competitive prices
  • Expert advisers with in-depth knowledge of the method, available and at your service
  • A broad portfolio of analyses for all your raw materials and finished products
  • A customer service that ensures the personalized follow-up of your samples
  • Online access to your samples and the ability to download your results via the EOL platform (Eurofins Online)
  • A legal and regulatory support possible by our legal expert
  • Local contact with a Global network
  • Participation in Industry associations and regulatory bodies allowing early advice on potential food scares and legal obligations

References:

1.https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/shrimp

  1. https://www.jessicagavin.com/types-and-sizes-of-shrimp/
  2. https://www.medindia.net/dietandnutrition/health-benefits-of-shrimp.htm
  3. https://www.eurofins.in/food-testing/industries/sea-food/
  4. https://www.newsncr.com/national/bis-is-making-quality-standards-for-fish-feed-the-process-of-including-new-species-is-also-going-on/
  5. https://media-publications.bcg.com/BCG-A-Strategic-Approach-to-Sustainable-Shrimp-Production-in-India-Jan-2020.pdf
  6. https://mpeda.gov.in/?page_id=3447

8.https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1=Montserrat++Espi%C3%B1eira

  1. https://www.eurofins.de/food-analysis/food-news/food-testing-news/water-protein-ratio-in-farmed-shrimp/