Valorizing seafood processing by-products for prebiotic development: a circular economy approach to gut health

Information from the abstract

Background Approximately 50% of global seafood catch is discarded as processing by-products, creating both environmental burdens and untapped bioactive resources. Seafood-derived oligosaccharides and polysaccharides exhibit structure-dependent prebiotic activities through distinct mechanisms, yet a comprehensive framework linking extraction methods, structural features, and gut microbiota outcomes remains lacking. Scope and approach This review critically integrates mechanistic evidence on valorizing seafood by-products such as crustacean shells, fish waste, algal residues, and emerging sources as sustainable prebiotic feedstocks. It examines how structural characteristics such as molecular weight (Mw), degree of polymerization (DP), degree of acetylation (DA), and sulfation patterns determine fermentability, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) accessibility, and microbial utilization, while systematically evaluating extraction and purification methods and their influence on bioactivity. Key findings and conclusions In vitro and animal studies demonstrate that prebiotic activity is strongly structure-dependent. Low-Mw chito-oligosaccharides (COS) specifically stimulate beneficial Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations, while high-degree-of-deacetylation (DD) chitosan has antibacterial action through charge-mediated membrane disruption. Fish-derived glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) contribute to the modulation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles in fermentation models, with proposed GPR41/43-mediated pathways that require further validation. Preclinical evidence shows promising anti-obesity, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects, though human data remain limited. However, critical translational gaps persist: limited human trials, inter-individual variability, lack of standardized production protocols, and the purity/bioactivity paradox, whereby extensive processing may enhance yield but compromise functional properties. Addressing these gaps requires integrated biorefinery approaches that preserve structural integrity while maximizing bioactivity, alongside harmonized regulations and rigorous human intervention studies to establish clinical relevance.

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Related topics: Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology · Protein Hydrolysis and Bioactive Peptides · Gut microbiota and health