Phosphates are inorganic salts which contain phosphorous. Phosphate is the
most common form of phosphorous in fertilizers and in waterways (see also
phosphorous cycle).
Polyphosphates, which are phosphate polymers, are used as:
household and industrial laundry and dishwashing detergents,
a multipurpose food additive (particularly in meat
and fish products).
Polyphosphates are used in fish processing to improve the
retention of water in fish without undesirable flavour effects.
Polyphosphate treatment of fish before freezing often reduces the amount of
thaw drip, which is the liquid released when frozen fish is thawed. Good quality
fish, properly frozen and cold stored, normally develops little thaw drip;
therefore application of polyphosphate to such material is generally only of
slight value.
