Distribution of bromophenols in species of marine polychaetes and bryozoans from eastern Australia and the role of such animals in the flavor of edible ocean fish and prawns (shrimp)

J Agric Food Chem. 1999 Nov;47(11):4756-62. doi: 10.1021/jf9904719.

Abstract

Sixteen species (44 samples) of marine polychaetes and 10 species (14 samples) of bryozoans from eastern Australia were analyzed by GC/MS for the key seafood flavor components 2- and 4-bromophenol, 2, 4- and 2,6-dibromophenol, and 2,4,6-tribromophenol. All five bromophenols were found in 91% of polychaetes and 64% of bryozoans. The remaining samples all contained at least three bromophenols. 2,4, 6-Tribromophenol was found in all polychaetes and bryozoans and, with few exceptions, was present in the highest concentrations. The total bromophenol content determined on a wet-weight basis varied widely between species: for polychaetes, from 58 ng/g for Australonuphis teres to 8.3 million ng/g for Barantolla lepte, and for bryozoans, from 36 ng/g for Cladostephus spongiosus to 1668 ng/g for Amathia wilsoni. Species of polychaetes with the highest concentrations of bromophenols were all collected from muddy environments. The possible effects that dietary polychaetes and bryozoans have on the ocean-, brine-, or iodine-like flavors of certain seafoods are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Bryozoa / metabolism*
  • Decapoda*
  • Fishes*
  • Phenols / metabolism*
  • Polychaeta / metabolism*
  • Taste*

Substances

  • Phenols
  • 2,6-dibromophenol
  • 2-bromophenol
  • 2,4-dibromophenol
  • 4-bromophenol
  • 2,4,6-tribromophenol