Bioactive compounds from by-products of shrimp processing industry in Vietnam

Shrimp heads from the shrimp processing industry in Vietnam can be a good source for production of bioactive compounds. It is estimated that there is an amount of 200,000 metric tons of shrimp by-products annually from two main species: black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). We found that the shrimp by-products can be used as raw materials for extraction of chitosan and lipid-mineral-rich carotenoprotein by combining chemical and biological treatment. Chitosan has been recognized as a multifunctional bioactive compound and has been used widely in food, biotechnology, cosmetics and medicine. Lipid-mineral-rich carotenoprotein can be used as a supplement in food and aqua-feed with good nutrional and functional properties. Besides, the characteristics of these products have been evaluated and reported. These results proved that high quality chitosan and lipid-mineral-rich carotenoprotein can be obtained from shrimp by-products.