Revalorization of crustacean by-products, chemical applications and academic computing packages. Part 1. Example of Educational Improvement and Innovation Projects: Theoretical obtaining of nutraceutical pigments

Abstract

Within the shrimp industry, a large amount of waste is generated because between 40-50% of the total mass is lost in the peeling and beheading process, resulting in byproducts that can be reused. The composition of the shrimp cephalothorax and exoskeleton that make up these by-products is based on functional molecules such as good quality proteins, chitin, and astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment recently used as a nutraceutical, which has been shown to have wide applications in human health, standing out due to its effect on improving the immune response, and in turn, as a protector against Covid-19. In this article, the simulation of a methodology for obtaining carotenoid pigments from shrimp by-products is carried out using the Aspen Plus ® software, taking advantage of the ability to carry out material balances to know the approximate amount that could be recovered and, with the help of the analysis of costs, establish the bases for a subsequent study on the economic profitability of a processing plant. The results of the bibliographic research show that, with the help of soybean oil, the pigments can be obtained in their entirety, demonstrating the viability of this proposal. The next stage should contemplate studies at an experimental level either at laboratory and/or at the bench scale to carry out this technical-economic feasibility study.