Abstract
The aim of this work was to recover and study the composition of the biomass obtained from the surimi processing industry, and to explore the feasibility of its valorization by developing functional edible films. A concentrate from wash water of minced shrimp muscle of low commercial value [shrimp concentrate (SC)] was obtained by alkaline solubilization and isoelectric precipitation, which had protein content of 61.8% and fat 23.6%. The protein fraction of low molecular weight (≤37 kDa), with maximum solubility at basic pH 9-11, and was rich in essential amino acids (296 essential amino acids/1000 residues), whereas the fat fraction showed a high degree of unsaturation (26.8% MUFA, 28.3% PUFA). SC, showed antioxidant activity measured by FRAP and ABTS assays and, was successfully incorporated into an agar film matrix (agar-to-protein ratio of 3:1). The films were translucent and brownish and maintained integrity upon immersion in water, but swelled considerably. Films were able to release protein and exert antioxidant activity in water and 95% ethanol (aqueous and fatty food simulants, respectively), the release being faster and greater in the former. In conclusion, the biomass obtained from shrimp mince/surimi processing was for developing edible films.