Production and Application of Chitosanases in Valorization of Crustacean Waste to Wealth—A Review

Abstract

The large amount of waste produced each year by the shellfish processing industry is an appealing opportunity for the State of Andhra Pradesh (AP), India, to produce valuable products from underutilized waste. In order to highlight this important market-opportunity, crustacean waste can be utilized to generate good financial return. However, large investment on capital and effective management remains a significant hurdle in achieving returns on investment. There is no single, simple, cost-effective solution for crustacean waste management. Circular economy and green chemistry have encouraged the reduction of such bio-wastes, and their exploitation as an alternative resource has become a must for a global sustainable future. About 2.5 lakh marine food is being produced annually along the AP coast, including 30,000 tonnes of shrimp and 7000 tonnes of crab. Of this, 70% is wasted and is usually disposed of in landfills or dumped in the sea. The shellfish processing industry is generating about 8.5 million tons of waste every year, with shrimp processing accounting for more than one lakh tonnes of industrial waste. This large amount of waste produced is an appealing opportunity for the A.Ps market to produce valuable products from underutilized waste. Chitin, chitosan, and other derivatives such as glucosamine and chito-oligosaccharides from shrimp and shell waste are in good demand from many types of industries and pharma sector. The study surveys environmentally friendly methods for deriving a sustainable model in conversion of crustacean waste to wealth by adopting two methods—stabilization of waste at the production site and use of microbial technology in production and applicative use of chitosanases. The study finds it promising to use microbial technology to circumvent the chemical processing involved in extraction and valorization of this chitin rich waste.