Changes were observed in shrimp during iced storage. Determinations were made on the moisture, protein, ash and trimethylamine content of the Penaeus (M.) brasiliensis, caught off the central southern coast of Brazil. The changes are related to the length of the storage period, the size-sex relationship, and the degree of maturation of the female. The moisture and trimethylamine (TMA) content increased, and the protein and ash contents decreased during an extension of the iced storage time. For moisture and protein contents, the interaction time in iced storage was significant with size-sex relationship, and with the degree of maturation. An increase of TMA during iced storage was equivalent for both male and female species. However, it appeared to be greater for male specimens, because they reach the stage of TMA production ahead of the female.
