Search Results (48)

Previous research has primarily focused on the antioxidant effect of astaxanthin (AX) in various vegetable oils, with limited attention given to its behavior in lard. This study aimed to evaluate the degradation of AX during lard storage and to assess the physicochemical changes occurring in lard containing different AX concentrations over time. The variation in AX concentration was monitored using spectrophotometric analysis. To characterize the changes in lard, both thermal and chemical methods were employed: thermal analysis was used to determine the onset oxidation temperature (To) and activation energy (Ea), while chemical methods included peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBA) assays. Optimization of AX concentration and temporal evaluation of its antioxidant effect were performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results indicated a significant degradation of AX after 30 days of storage. An AX concentration of approximately 3 mg/g was identified as optimal, as it provided the highest thermal stability and the lowest levels of oxidation markers, offering a well-balanced compromise between technological performance and preservative effectiveness in lard during storage. Additionally, the color of the lard was found to be more strongly influenced by the presence of AX itself rather than by its specific concentration. Full article

The pigmentation and coloration of P. vannamei are primarily determined by the type and concentration of dietary carotenoids, with carotenoid-rich macroalgae serving as effective dietary supplements to enhance pigment accumulation and improve commercial quality. Five experimental diets were formulated with 3% brown algae (Saccharina japonica, SJ group; Sargassum fusiforme, SF group), red algae (Neoporphyra haitanensis, NH group), or 0.1% purified carotenoids (zeaxanthin, ZT group; fucoxanthin, FX group). The results showed that both macroalgae and carotenoid supplementation significantly enhanced weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to the control group, with the zeaxanthin and fucoxanthin groups exhibiting the greatest improvements (1.6-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively). The N. haitanensis-supplemented diet, which had the highest carotenoid content, resulted in the most pronounced carotenoid accumulation (2.58-fold increase). Carotenoids were mainly deposited in the exoskeleton, followed by the hepatopancreas, with minimal accumulation in muscle tissue. α-Carotene and β-carotene contributed most to exoskeleton deposition, while lutein and zeaxanthin had weaker effects, and fucoxanthin showed no significant influence. Tissue-specific distribution patterns were observed: α-carotene and β-carotene were localized in the exoskeleton; fucoxanthin and zeaxanthin were found only in the exoskeleton and hepatopancreas, and astaxanthin was present in all three tissues. Furthermore, astaxanthin diesters (C20:5 and C22:6) were primarily detected in the exoskeleton and hepatopancreas, while monoesters (C16:0 and C18:0) were specific to muscle. These findings suggest that targeted supplementation of algal-derived carotenoids can enhance both growth and pigmentation in P. vannamei, providing a theoretical basis for the development of functional feeds to improve shrimp commercial quality. Full article

The hepatopancreas of Procambarus clarkii plays a crucial role in metabolism and immune response, encompassing vital physiological functions. In our study, we established a hepatopancreatic injury model using thioacetamide (TAA) and evaluated the therapeutic potential of a commercial astaxanthin-based product (AST-product) on hepatopancreatic health. The experimental framework included a control group (Con), an injury model group (M), and a treatment group (T), enabling a comprehensive analysis of the effects of treatments on hepatopancreatic biochemical markers, tissue architecture, gene expression, and metabolic pathways. The biochemical results indicated significant oxidative damage and fibrosis in the M group post-TAA treatment, evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the disruption of tubular structures. Conversely, treatment with the AST-product significantly reduced MDA levels and ameliorated oxidative stress. Histological evaluations using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Sirius Red staining confirmed that the AST-product preserved tubular integrity and inhibited fibrosis progression. Metabolomic profiling revealed that the AST-product modulated key metabolic pathways, including arginine and proline metabolism, porphyrin metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism, which are critical for maintaining energy supply and antioxidative capabilities. This modulation mitigated the TAA-induced oxidative damage. Moreover, qPCR analysis demonstrated that the AST-product downregulated the pro-apoptotic gene CASP2, upregulated the energy metabolism-related gene NDUFA7, and enhanced the expression of the immune-related gene lysozyme, thereby boosting pathogen resistance. These findings elucidate the robust protective effects of the AST-product on hepatopancreatic health in P. clarkii, highlighting its potential to reduce oxidative stress, inhibit fibrosis, and enhance immune responses. This study provides a novel strategy for improving P. clarkii health in aquaculture and contributes valuable insights into hepatopancreatic protection and disease prevention in shrimp farming. Full article

Herein, the effectiveness of astaxanthin (AX) as functional feed ingredient was assessed by enhancing its stability and bioavailability using encapsulation methods. Spray-drying and liposome entrapment were applied to a natural AX source from shrimp by-products, along with two commercially synthetic alternatives. Encapsulated AX formulations were evaluated for their physico-chemical properties, thermal stability, and in vitro performance using RTL-W1, a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver-derived cell line. Both techniques achieved high encapsulation efficiency (73–89%) and provided remarkable protection to AX during thermal treatments, maintaining its stability at 80 °C for up to 2 h and at 100 °C for 30 min. Nevertheless, neither encapsulation methods significantly mitigated water absorption over time. Additionally, morphological characterization revealed spray-dried microcapsules with typical round, partially collapsed particles with a broad size distribution, while liposomes further stabilized into dry powders by spray-drying showed structural rearrangements and an increase in size upon rehydration, although maintaining a uniform and stable distribution. In vitro testing revealed enhanced RTL-W1 cell viability and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production when encapsulation was employed. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of the selected encapsulation techniques to optimize the stability, bioavailability, and functionality of AX, providing valuable insights to improve its utilization as a functional ingredient in fish feed formulations. Full article

Body color is a key economic trait for Neocaridina denticulata sinensis, an important ornamental shrimp. Scarb1 may be an important mediator of astaxanthin uptake, changing the shrimp’s body color. To discover the relationship between scarb1 and the pigmentation of cherry shrimp, the expression profiles, RNAi, and SNP genotyping of scarb1 were studied. There were significant differences in four color populations and five development stages (p < 0.05). The highest expression level of scarb1 appeared in the red population and the pre-nauplius stage. Exposure to scarb1 dsRNA increased the number and development of chromatophores at the metanauplius stage, but almost no phenotypic changes were observed at the pre-zoea stage. There was a synonymous SNP (G1593A) with a significantly different genotype frequency between the red and yellow populations (p < 0.05). The above results suggested that scarb1 is involved in pigmentation by affecting the development of chromatophores. Full article

Marine organisms are a vital source of biologically active compounds. Organic extracts from the muscle of the Pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) have shown antiproliferative effects on tumor cells, including breast adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to analyze these extracts’ composition and confirm their specificity for breast adenocarcinoma cells without harming normal cells. An organic chloroform extract from L. vannamei muscle was divided using a solvent partition procedure with methanol and hexane. The methanolic partition was fractionated through an open preparative liquid chromatography column to isolate compounds with biological activity, that were later tested on MDA-MB-231 (breast adenocarcinoma), and recently tested on MCF10-A (non-cancerous breast epithelial cells). Cells incubated with these fractions were assessed for viability and morphological changes using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Fractions F#13 and F#14 reduced MDA-MB-231 cancer cell viability at 100 µg/mL without affecting non-cancerous MCF-10A cells, inducing apoptosis-related changes in cancer cells. These fractions contained EPA and DHA free fatty acids, specifically F#13 contained free and esterified astaxanthin as well. The high levels of free linoleic acid 18:2 ω-6, EPA, and DHA (in a 2:1 ratio, EPA:DHA), along with free and esterified astaxanthin in F#13, significantly reduced breast adenocarcinoma cell viability, nearly to that achieved by cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug. Full article

Astaxanthin, a red carotenoid pigment found in marine species like microalgae, shrimp, and salmon, is a powerful bioactive molecule with several health effects. Astaxanthin, despite its potential, is highly vulnerable to degradation from external elements, including light, oxygen, and temperature, requiring meticulous extraction and stabilization methods. Astaxanthin can be extracted using solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and enzymatic extraction. Additionally, encapsulation methods that improve the stability and bioavailability of astaxanthin are examined, highlighting their efficacy in maintaining the chemical in unfavorable conditions. This review discusses the extensive range of astaxanthin’s medicinal capabilities, encompassing its antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and skin-protective activities. This research seeks to emphasize the significance of astaxanthin as a functional bioactive component with substantial potential in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications by describing the extraction and encapsulation techniques and their health-promoting attributes. Full article

Marine animals, especially shrimp species, have gained interest in research, due to the fact that they contain a plethora of biomolecules, specifically lipids, which have been proven to possess many health benefits in various diseases linked to chronic inflammation or other exogenous factors. This review refers to the lipid composition of a large number of shrimp species, as well as the effects that can alternate the lipid content of these crustaceans. Emphasis is given to the potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antithrombotic properties of shrimp bioactives, as well as the effects that these bioactives hold in other diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and more. The various health-promoting effects deriving from the consumption of shrimp lipid bioactives and the usage of products containing shrimp lipid extracts are also addressed in this study, through the exploration of several mechanisms of action and the interference of shrimp lipids in these biochemical pathways. Nevertheless, further research on this cultivatable edible species is needed, due to their existing limitations and future prospects which are discussed in this paper. Full article

Every year, large amounts of shrimp waste are disposed of in the environment, causing serious environmental problems. The prospect of recycling shrimp waste helps to reduce waste and protect the environment. In this study, three different shrimp species were used, including Pleoticus muellieri, Litopeneus vanamei, and Parapenaeus longirostris, separated into shells (PLMUS, LIVAS, PALOS) and tails (PLMUT, LIVAT, PALOT), and transformed into novel carbonaceous materials. Their adsorption properties were investigated using different chemical compounds (MB, MR, phenol, astaxanthin) in aqueous means. The materials were characterized through FTIR, BET, and SEM–EDS analyses. According to the results, the carbonaceous adsorbents presented high adsorption percentage of MB and astaxanthin (>90%), and low adsorption percentage of phenol and MR, owing to the different bonds that were formed between the functional groups of the organic substances and the corresponding groups on the surface of the materials. The results of the FTIR analysis show the presence of C=C groups from the aromatic rings of the adsorbed MB and MR at 1636 cm⁻¹, the presence of O-H functional groups from the adsorbed phenols at 3330 cm⁻¹, and the presence of C=C or C=O groups at 1730 cm⁻¹ after the adsorption of astaxanthin. According to the BET analysis, the increase in the specific surface area follows the order: LIVAS > PLMUS > PALOT > PALOS > PLMUT > LIVAT. SEM–EDS analysis presented compact structures with the main elements of C (37–56%), O (25–35%), and Ca (12–23%) for all materials. Kinetic analysis showed that the experimental adsorption data of all the organic substances can be best described by the pseudo-second order model, indicating that chemisorption is the prevailing mechanism. Consequently, such methods promote the sustainable management and zero-waste fish farming practices, fostering the production of high-added value materials not only for decontamination purposes but also for the isolation of bioactive substances. Full article

The snow/pink crab (Chionoecetes opilio) and Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) are widely distributed in the North Atlantic Ocean. During processing/consumption, about 80% of the harvest is discarded as processing waste, which is a rich source of protein, chitin, minerals, and carotenoids. This study, for the first time, investigated the proximate composition and individual amino acids, minerals, and carotenoids from different body parts (carapace, shoulder, claw, tip, and leg) of snow crabs and shrimp shells. Shrimp proteins were found to be abundant and well-balanced in their amino acid composition. Compared to shrimp shells, a lower content of amino acids was found in the snow crab, depending on the part of the shell used. Moreover, crab shells, mainly crab claws, contained a higher (p < 0.05) level of chitin compared to shrimp shells. Seven micro-elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, and Ce) and six macro-elements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, P, and Sr) were identified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Among them, calcium and iron were higher in crab carapaces (p < 0.05), followed by shrimp shells and other crab shell segments. Additionally, shrimp and crab carapaces contained a significant level of carotenoids, and these were mainly composed of astaxanthin and its mono- and diesters, along with zeaxanthin, astacene, canthaxanthin, and lutein. Thus, this investigation provides detailed information to allow upcycling of shellfish waste and addresses the knowledge gap concerning the availability of various nutrients in different crab sections and shrimp shells. Full article

In recent years, there has been an increase in the industrial processing of shrimp, aiming to cover the increasing demand for shrimp products for human consumption, and, consequently, an increase in shrimp by-products as shrimp waste. This waste includes the cephalothoraxes, heads, shells, tails, pleopods, and exoskeleton appendages of processed shrimps. The appropriate method for the enzymatic hydrolysis of shrimp waste can recover its bioactive substances, including carotenoids. Thus, these xanthophylls and carotenes are of high financial interest and have high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Therefore, these substances can be incorporated into fish feed as ingredients that improve fish health and simultaneously lead to the production of aquaculture fishes similar in coloration to the wild ones. Thus, the consumption of such novel food acts as a preventive factor for human health. In this regard, β-carotene has antioxidant and fat-soluble activities owing to vitamin A sufficiency and has an anti-cancer effect, too. Canthaxanthin can be used as a product for personal care and as a natural tanning agent for human skin. Zeaxanthin and lutein have positive effects on various eye and heart diseases, neuronal damage, human skin diseases, and certain types of cancer. Astaxanthin also has anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to highlight the sustainable utilization of shrimp waste via enzymatic hydrolysis, the benefits of a fish diet enriched with astaxanthin, the consumption of fish enriched with carotenoids, and the effects of carotenoids on human health. The problem of shrimp waste disposal affects the environment, does not contribute to sustainable development, and is directly related to the phenomenon of environmental change. Full article

Astaxanthin (AST), functioning as an efficient antioxidant and pigment, is one of the most expensive additives in shrimp feeds. How to improve the uptake efficiency of dietary astaxanthin into farmed shrimp is of significance. The present study investigated the effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), an emulsifier, on dietary astaxanthin efficiency, growth performance, body color, body composition, as well as lipid metabolism of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (average initial body weight: 2.4 g). Three diets were prepared: control group, the AST group (supplemented with 0.02% AST), and the AST + LPC group (supplemented with 0.02% AST and 0.1% LPC). Each diet was fed to triplicate tanks, and each tank was stocked with 30 shrimp. The shrimp were fed four times daily for eight weeks. The AST supplementation improved the growth of white shrimp, while LPC further promoted the final weight of shrimp, but the whole-shrimp proximate composition and fatty acid composition were only slightly affected by AST and LPC. The LPC supplementation significantly increased the astaxanthin deposition in the muscle. The LPC supplementation significantly increased the shell yellowness of both raw and cooked shrimp compared to the AST group. Moreover, the dietary LPC increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol content but decreased the low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol content in the serum, indicating the possible regulation of lipid and cholesterol transport. The addition of astaxanthin significantly up-regulated the expression of npc2 in the hepatopancreas compared to the control group, while the addition of LPC down-regulated the expression of mttp compared to the AST group. In conclusion, the LPC supplementation could facilitate the deposition of dietary astaxanthin into farmed shrimp and further enlarge the beneficial effects of dietary astaxanthin. LPC may also independently regulate shrimp body color and cholesterol transportation. This was the first investigation of the promoting effects of LPC on dietary astaxanthin efficiency. Full article

Background: The use of conventional astaxanthin extraction methods, typically involving organic solvents, leads to a heightened environmental impact. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of environmentally friendly extraction solvents, such as vegetable oils, for recovering the shrimp by-product astaxanthin. Methods: Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in vegetable oils, including olive oil (OO), sunflower oil (SO), and flaxseed oil (FO), was employed to extract astaxanthin. The astaxanthin antioxidant activity was evaluated using an ABTS assay, and a mixture of gum Arabic and soy lecithin was used to form coacervates to produce astaxanthin encapsulation. Results: A by-product–vegetable oil ratio of 1:60, extraction time of 210 min, 60% amplitude of the extraction process, and the use of OO as the extracting medium resulted in an astaxanthin yield of 235 ± 4.07 μg astaxanthin/g by-products. The astaxanthin encapsulation efficiency on day 0 and astaxanthin recovery on day 1 were recorded at 66.6 ± 2.7% and 94.4 ± 4.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The utilization of OO as an extraction solvent for astaxanthin from shrimp by-products in UAE represents a novel and promising approach to reducing the environmental impact of shrimp by-products. The effective astaxanthin encapsulation efficiency highlights its potential application in food industries. Full article

Natural astaxanthin has been widely used in the food, cosmetic, and medicine industries due to its exceptional biological activity. Shrimp shell is one of the primary natural biological sources of astaxanthin. However, after astaxanthin recovery, there is still a lot of chitin contained in the residues. In this study, the residue from shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) shells after astaxanthin extraction using ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate ([Emim]Ac) was used as a bioadsorbent to remove fluoride from the aqueous solution. The results show the IL extraction conditions, including the solid/liquid ratio, temperature, time, and particle size, all played important roles in the removal of fluoride by the shrimp shell residue. The shrimp shells treated using [Emim]Ac at 100 °C for 2 h exhibited an obvious porous structure, and the porosity showed a positive linear correlation with defluorination (D_F, %). Moreover, the adsorption process of fluoride was nonspontaneous and endothermic, which fits well with both the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated according to the Langmuir model is 3.29 mg/g, which is better than most bioadsorbents. This study provides a low-cost and efficient method for the preparation of adsorbents from shrimp processing waste to remove fluoride from wastewater. Full article

The production and consumption of shrimp species create massive amounts of shrimp bio-waste. In this study, shrimp shell waste from Palaemon serratus and Palaemon varians from the Portuguese coast was characterized. Regarding the antioxidant capacity, the obtained values were between 4.7 and 10.4 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (dw) for Total phenolic content (TPC); 3 and 7 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/g dw for Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP); 0.4 and 1.2 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g dw for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate free radical scavenging (DPPH^•); 4 and 11 mg TE/g dw for 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity (ABTS^•+); and 72 and 130 mg TE/g dw for Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). For the antimicrobial activity, shrimp shell waste from P. varians formed inhibition zones between 14 and 23 mm. Total carotenoid content values were in the range of 28 and 134 μg/g dw, and according to their HPLC-PAD profile, β-carotene and astaxanthin contents were between 0.3 and 7.6 μg/g dw and 1.1 and 26.1 μg/g dw, respectively. These studies are critical to recognizing the potential added value of shrimp shell waste as possible colorants and preservatives with antioxidant protection capacity to be used in the food industry. Full article