Why do shrimp turn pink when they are cooked?
Question from Jon Harman
Like other crustaceans, prawns and shrimp are encased in an exoskeleton. Placing them in boiling water loosens proteins called crustacyanin on their surface, revealing a reddish-pink exoskeleton pigment known as astaxanthin hidden underneath.
Answered by James Horton for Brain Dump in How It Works issue 125.
To feature in our Brain Dump section, send us your questions to howitworks@futurenet.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter
For more science and technology articles, pick up the latest copy of How It Works from all good retailers or from our website now. If you have a tablet or smartphone, you can also download the digital version onto your iOS or Android device. To make sure you never miss an issue of How It Works magazine, subscribe today!
