Phosphine residues and physicochemical stability of Hwangtae after fumigation

This study detected phosphine residues and the qualitative effect of phosphine fumigation on Hwangtae (yellowish-dried Alaska pollock). Four types of Hwangtae products commercially purchased were investigated to assess phosphine residue. Hwangtae was fumigated at both laboratory scale, at an aluminum phosphide rate of 33.6 g/m(3), and large scale (1.68 g/m(3)) to evaluate phosphine residue and dissipation. Further, nutritional composition analyses between pre- and post-fumigated Hwangtae were conducted. The concentration of phosphine residues was lower than the detection limit (0.005 mg/kg) in all Hwangtae products. After fumigation in laboratory scale, phosphine residue was 2.47 mg/kg, and after fumigation in large scale, the residue was 3.25 mg/kg. After 3-d aeration in the open air, there was no residue detected from fumigated Hwangtae. Nutritional composition, including proximate, mineral, and amino acid compositions, did not differ (P > 0.05) between pre- and post-fumigated Hwangtae. Overall, Hwangtae did not demonstrate a phosphine residue problem after the proper aeration process, and phosphine did not alter the nutritional composition, suggesting the use of phosphine as a fumigant to protect Hwangtae from insect pests.

Automated summary

The study found no phosphine residues in Hwangtae products after fumigation, with no residue detected after proper aeration. Additionally, phosphine fumigation did not alter the nutritional composition of Hwangtae.