Bio-Circular green economy application for the recovery of high value added compounds, such as astaxanthin and glucosamine, from cephalothorax of Karamote shrimp Peneaus kerathurus in Western Greece

Shrimp waste can be used as source of high value added compounds, such as astaxanthin and glucosamine. Astaxanthin (C40H52O4) is a xanthophyll carotenoid and belongs to a larger class of terpenes. Astaxanthin exists in stereoisomers, geometric isomers, free and esterified forms based on the reaction with fatty acid. It is a fat soluble colorful pigment and can be found in aquatic environment in microalgae, salmon, trout, krill, shrimp, crayfish and crustaceans. It has both lipophilic and hydrophilic properties, protect cells, lipids and membrane lipoproteins against oxidative damage.

D-glucosamine (C6H13NO5), an amino sugar (hexosamine), is a part of the structure of two polysaccharides, chitosan and chitin. Naturally shows up in human body and crustacean shells. Glucosamine exists in the form of glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride, or N-acetyl-glucosamine and is extensively used as a dietary supplement in the treatment for osteoarthritis, knee and back pain.

This research aims to optimize by chemical methods the extraction of glucosamine and astaxanthin from cephalothorax of Karamote shrimp Peneaus (Melicertus) kerathurus. Astaxanthin yield obtained using hexane as extraction solvent. Furthermore, results showed that G-HCl yield obtained with solid/liquid ratio of 1:20, at high hydrolysis reaction temperature and with agitation. Additionally, the low cooling temperature of 5 °C and the use of ethanol support the formation of G-HCl crystals.