Shrimp waste utilization: Exploring composition, bioactive potential, and safety treatments

Abstract

The global focus on waste management and recycling is increasing, driven by the need to protect the environment from the harmful effects of waste accumulation. This study evaluated the chemical composition, bioactive potential, and microbial quality of shrimp waste, revealing significant variations across treatments and locations. Ghalyoun shrimp heads exhibited the highest protein (41.6%) and fat (16.9%) contents, while shells and tails from Port Said and head from Ghalyoun shrimp were rich in calcium (76.55 mg/g, 75.9 mg/g), respectively. Phenolic content was highest in Jumbo Suez heads (77.06 mg GAE/g DM), exhibiting maximum antioxidant activity of 65.8% (DPPH assay) in the same sample. Furthermore, HPLC analysis showed pyrogallol dominance in Ghalyoun shells (32,974 ppm) and Ismalawy heads (32,907 ppm), while Jumbo Suez heads had the highest gallic acid (4,508 ppm) and catechol (8,514 ppm). Ellagic acid peaked in Jumbo Suez (10,643 ppm), confirming strong bioactive potential. Heavy metals, including Pb and Ni, were highest in heads (1.3 mg/g and 1.34 mg/g, respectively), but effective chelation treatments, particularly T6 (acetic acid 12.5% + citric acid 5% + Sodium chloride 5%), significantly reduced these levels and microbial contamination, lowering total microbial counts to 3.57 log CFU/g. The findings suggest shrimp waste, particularly heads, as a valuable resource for antioxidants, proteins, and minerals, with appropriate treatments ensuring safety for industrial applications.