In Vitro Bioactivity of Astaxanthin and Peptides from Hydrolisates of Shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) By-Products: From the Extraction Process to Biological Effect Evaluation, as Pilot Actions for the Strategy “From Waste to Profit”

What if shrimp shells could become the next big thing in health supplements? A new study turns seafood waste into a treasure trove of bioactive compounds.

Every year, tons of shrimp shells are discarded as waste, but they hide a secret: valuable molecules like astaxanthin and peptides with proven health benefits. Researchers have now developed a pilot-scale protocol to extract these compounds from shrimp by-products, aiming to transform waste into profit for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Using 'green' methods, the team extracted astaxanthin with fish oil, fatty acid ethyl esters, and supercritical fluid extraction. They also obtained bioactive peptides through protease hydrolysis. The results were promising: astaxanthin yields were highest with ethyl esters, and short-path distillation enriched it to 114.80 ± 1.23 µg/mL.

In cellular models, both astaxanthin and peptides showed antioxidant and ACE-inhibitory activities. Peptide fractions under 3 kDa and 3–5 kDa had the strongest antioxidant effects, while the 5–10 kDa fraction excelled at ACE inhibition. Notably, low-molecular-weight peptides and supercritical-fluid-extracted astaxanthin protected 142BR and 3T3 cells from oxidative damage.

These findings suggest that green extraction can turn large volumes of shrimp waste into high-quality bioactive ingredients, offering a sustainable path for health products.

Key Points

• Green extraction yields astaxanthin up to 114.80 µg/mL via SPD.
• Peptides <3 and 3–5 kDa show strong antioxidant activity.
• Low-molecular-weight peptides and SFE astaxanthin protect cells from oxidative damage.