A Comparative Survey on Antioxidant Activity of Iranian Shrimp Waste (Penaeus semisulcatus) and Synthetic Antioxidants

Background: Shrimp waste, as an important source of natural carotenoids, is produced in large quantities in the seafood processing industry. One of the important characteristics of carotenoids is their ability to act as antioxidants, thus protecting cells and tissues from the damaging effects of free radicals and singlet oxygen. Aims: The aim of this study was to find an effective method for carotenoid extraction (Enzymatic and alkaline treatment) from shrimp waste and compare their antioxidant potential with synthetic antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) using sunflower oil. Methods: The sunflower oil was exposed to three concentrations of extracted carotenoid (470, 235, and 118 mg/kg) and synthetic antioxidants. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was evaluated for Malondialdehyde and peroxide value. Results and Discussion: The mean values of carotenoid extract were 243 and 170 mg/kg for enzymatic and alkaline treatment, respectively. Therefore, the highest efficacy of carotenoid extraction was obtained from enzymatic extraction. The oil samples containing 470 ppm carotenoid, which were extracted by alcalase as the default treatment, exhibited a less peroxide value and higher antioxidant potential than the oil samples containing synthetic antioxidants. Conclusion: According to the results, the synthetic antioxidants can be replaced by extracted carotenoids from shrimp waste as a natural antioxidant to inhibit oxidation.