High Yields of Shrimp Oil Rich in Omega-3 and Natural Astaxanthin from Shrimp Waste

The LimoFish Circular Economy Process for the Marine Bioeconomy

The outcomes of applying the zero-waste extraction "LimoFish" process based on defatting fish processing waste with limonene to leftovers of European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), compared to conventional extraction with oil-derived solvents such as n-hexane and with petroleum ether, show that the process has general applicability. Meeting the principles of green extraction and those of the marine biorefinery requiring high process efficiency, the process establishes an "innovation through integration" circular economy production route enabling the marine bioeconomy.

Growth Performance, Immune-Related and Antioxidant Genes Expression, and Gut Bacterial Abundance of Pacific White Leg Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, Dietary Supplemented With Natural Astaxanthin

The current study examines the effect of dietary supplementation of ethanolic extract of Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003, which is mainly natural astaxanthins (97.50%), on the growth performance, feed utilization, bacterial abundance, and immune-related and antioxidant gene expressions of the Pacific white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. A total of 360 healthy L. vannamei postlarvae (0.19 ± 0.003 g) were divided into four groups (0, 2, 4, and 6 g natural astaxanthins/kg diet) each in three replicates, at an initial density of 30 PLs per tank (40 L capacity). The shrimp were fed the tested diets three times a day at a rate of 10% of their total body weight for 90 days. Diets supplemented with different astaxanthin levels significantly improved shrimp growth performance and feed conversion ratio compared to the control diet. No significant differences were observed in survival rates among all experimental groups. The immune-related genes (prophenoloxidase, lysozyme, beta-glucan binding protein, transglutaminase, and crustin) mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in groups fed with different concentrations of the natural astaxanthins in a dose-dependent manner. The prophenoloxidase gene is the highest immune-upregulated gene (14.71-fold change) in response to astaxanthin supplementation. The superoxide dismutase mRNA level was significantly increased with increasing dietary astaxanthin supplementation. In addition, increasing astaxanthin supplementation levels significantly reduced the count of heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. in the culture water and shrimp intestine. Overall, the current results concluded that diet supplementation with natural astaxanthin, extracted from Arthrospira platensis, enhanced the growth performance, immune response, and antioxidant status of L. vannamei.

Insight into the Progress on Natural Dyes: Sources, Structural Features, Health Effects, Challenges, and Potential

(1) Background: Dyes play an important role in food, medicine, textile, and other industries, which make human life more colorful. With the increasing demand for food safety, the development of natural dyes becomes more and more attractive. (2) Methods: The literature was searched using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SciFinder and this scoping review was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). (3) Results: 248 articles were included in this review. This review summarizes the research progress on natural dyes in the last ten years. According to structural features, natural dyes mainly include carotenoids, polyphenols, porphyrins, and alkaloids, and some of the newest dyes are summarized. Some pharmacological activities of carotenoids, anthocyanin, curcumin, and betalains in the last 10 years are summarized, and the biological effects of dyes regarding illumination conditions. The disadvantages of natural dyes, including sources, cost, stability, and poor bioavailability, limit their application. Here, some feasible strategies (potential resources, biotechnology, new extraction and separation strategies, strategies for improving stability) are described, which will contribute to the development and utilization of natural dyes. (4) Conclusion: Natural dyes show health benefits and potential in food additives. However, it is necessary for natural dyes to pass toxicity tests and quality tests and receive many regulatory approvals before their final entry into the market as food colorants or as drugs.

Adsorption of Cu (II) Ions Present in the Distilled Beverage (Sugar Cane Spirit) Using Chitosan Derived from the Shrimp Shell

Cachaça (sugar cane spirit) is a typically Brazilian distilled beverage. Copper ions can be present in craft beverages despite their acceptance in the national and international market. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of chitosan as an adsorbent in removing copper (II) from cachaça. The structural characteristics of the obtained chitosan and the effect of adsorbed copper were evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), viscosimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The deacetylation reaction from chitin (shrimp shell) resulted in chitosan with a deacetylation degree of 88.9% (potentiometric titration) and 86.9% (FTIR), low crystallinity, and an estimated molecular weight of 162.96 kDa. The copper reduction rate was 84.09% evaluated by spectrophotometric titration and microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP–OES). The amine groups of chitosan had adsorption affinity with copper ions, and the kinetic analysis showed a better fit of the data by the Elovich equation, suggesting that the chemosorption mechanism controlled the kinetic process. The results suggest that chitosan has the potential to improve the quality and safety of cachaça.

Lipid Profiles of the Heads of Four Shrimp Species by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS and Their Cardiovascular Activities

Lipids are key factors in nutrition, structural function, metabolic features, and other biological functions. In this study, the lipids from the heads of four species of shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis (FC), Penaeus japonicus (PJ), Penaeus vannamei (PV), and Procambarus clarkia (PCC)) were compared and characterized based on UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS. We compared the differences in lipid composition of four kinds of shrimp head using multivariate analysis. In addition, a zebrafish model was used to evaluate pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and cardioprotective activities of the shrimp head lipids. The lipids from the four kinds of shrimp head had different degrees of pro-angiogenic activities, and the activities of PCC and PJ shrimp lipids were more significant than those of the other two species. Four lipid groups displayed strong anti-inflammatory activities. For antithrombotic activity, only PCC (25 μg/mL) and PV (100 μg/mL) groups showed obvious activity. In terms of cardioprotective activity, the four kinds of lipid groups significantly increased the zebrafish heart rhythms. The heart distances were shortened, except for those of the FC (100 μg/mL) and PJ (25 μg/mL) groups. Our comprehensive lipidomics analysis and bioactivity study of lipids from different sources could provide a basis for the better utilization of shrimp.

Omeg@Silica: Entrapment and Stabilization of Sustainably Sourced Fish Oil

Fish oil rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin D3 and carotenoid pigments have been sustainably extracted from anchovy fillet leftovers using biobased limonene. The oil is conveniently stabilized by adsorption on periodic mesoporous silicas. The simplicity of the process, the high load of fish oil, and the biocompatible nature of mesoporous silica support numerous forthcoming applications of this new class of "Omeg@Silica" materials.

Preprints in Chemistry: An Exploratory Analysis of Differences with Journal Articles

The exploratory analysis of the differences between preprints and the corresponding peer reviewed journal articles for ten studies first published on ChemRxiv and on Preprints, though statistically non-significant, suggests outcomes of relevance for chemistry researchers and educators. The full transition to open science requires new education of doctoral students and young researchers on scholarly communication in the digital age. The preliminary findings of this study will contribute to inform the curriculum of the aforementioned new courses for young chemists, eventually promoting accelerated innovation in a science that, unique amid all basic sciences, originates a huge industry central to the wealth of nations.