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/m³, and large scale (1.68 g/m³) 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.