Contact
Gunnar Þórðarson
Regional Manager
gunnar.thordarson@matis.is
Raw material process in shrimp factories
Shrimp processing has been very successful in improving the utilization of raw materials, and the utilization has decreased from 20% to over 40% in just over twenty years. The use of poly ‐ phosphate (PP) has been important in this process, but these substances have been used together with salt and citric acid as excipients in the pre-processing of the shrimp. Utilization has been the best in the processing of thawed raw materials, but utilization has been significantly poorer in fresh shrimp. In Kampa shrimp processing, fresh shrimp are divided into two main categories; deep-sea shrimp and deep-sea shrimp caught in Ísafjarðardjúpur or Arnarfjörður. Ocean prawns have given better utilization than deep-sea prawns, which in most cases are smaller. The main purpose of this project was to compare the activity of these substances on thawed and fresh shrimp to improve utilization for the latter category. A study was set up to measure weight gain with differently strong blends and different times on fresh shrimp. Three experiments were performed, the first with both deep-sea shrimp and deep-sea shrimp, and the second two with only deep-sea shrimp. Studies were conducted from October 2011 to June 2012. The results of these studies strongly indicated that the pickling time of fresh shrimp needed to be shortened compared to thawed, but a traditional mixture gave the best results. This project was to test snail equipment from 3X Technology, Rotex, and compare the result with the traditional Kampa method, with 660 l. kerum. A new and cheaper method was introduced before this part of the study was carried out and it was therefore decided to cancel that part of the project. Instead, it was decided to focus on chemical research into the uptake of PP substances and what effect this would have on utilization in shrimp processing. Extensive research was started, but its scope is more than enough for a small project like this. Further research is therefore needed to complete this project, but the results obtained from this project are a good basis for further research. The result of the project is improved utilization for pelleting of deep-sea shrimp and deep-sea shrimp, which yields approx. one percentage point during processing.
The shrimp industry has achieved great success in improving the utilization of raw materials with the yield going from about 20% to over 40% in just over twenty years. Use of polyphosphates (a „poly ‐ phosphate„ (PP)) has been important in this process, but these materials have been used along with salt and citric acid as an excipient in the preliminary raw material method for shrimp. Best result has been in processing defrosted (frozen raw material) material with lesser yield using fresh material (unfrozen raw material). Kampi shrimp factory are mainly using two types of fresh raw material, in ‐ fjord shrimp from Arnarfjordur and Isafjardardjup, and deep water shrimp from fresh ‐ fish trawler fishing north of Iceland. The in ‐ fjord shrimp is generally smaller than the deep ‐ water shrimp. The main purpose of this project was to find a way to gain yield in processing the fresh material, and to transfer success in processing the defrosted shrimp to the fresh material. To do so a different strength of ingredients in pre ‐ maturing fluid in raw material method was used along with different time of maturing. The effect of this experience was recorded. Three experiments were conducted, the first with both in ‐ fjord shrimp and deep water shrimp, but the latter two with deep water shrimp only. Studies were conducted from October 2011 to June 2012. Results of these studies strongly indicated that a shorter time should be used for fresh material to gain better yield, but traditional combination of ingredients for maturing blend gave the best result. The second objective of this project was to test Rodex equipment from 3X Technology for raw material processing and compare the results with the traditional method Kampi uses, with 660 l. tubs. Before the test was conducted a new and cheaper method was introduced to this market, making the Rotex equipment unrivaled in this business. The project management team then decided to cancel this part of the project and to focus instead on chemical absorption studies for PP materials and the impact it would have on the utilization of the shrimp. Extensive studies were begun, but their scope is more than can be accomplished in a small project like this one. An advanced project will be needed to complete this study but the attainment of this study is an important input for further research in this area. The yield in fresh shrimp processed in Kampi have improved for about two percentage points as a result of this project, by using different maturing method for the raw material.