On the integral valorization of shrimp by-products: development of chitosan edible films incorporated with functional compounds from chitin demineralization process

Abstract

Chitosan is a natural cationic linear aminopolysaccharide majorly obtained from chitin that, due to its natural origin, biocompatibility, biodegradability and film forming ability, has been extensively employed in the development of edible films and coatings. Furthermore, it possesses fat binding properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, and is an excellent carrier for the sustained release and delivery of active compounds, thus being a very interesting matrix in the development of functional edible films. However, the chitosan obtaining process from crustacean shells involves sequential demineralization, deproteinization and deacetylation, in which a considerable amount of waste containing proteins, lipids, calcium and pigments is produced.