Extraction and characterization of astaxantin from the waste of deep water pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) obtained from İskenderun Bay

The aim of this study is to purpose a simple and effective method for the isolation of high-value pigment astaxanthin from shrimp waste, a low-value raw material. In this study, acetone was used as an extraction solvent. Mobile phase for TLC was acetone:hexane in the ratio 3:7 (v/v). The samples used in the study belong to the Parapenaeus longirostris species and were obtained from local fishermen operating in the Iskenderun Bay / Turkey. Shrimp waste was transported to the laboratory in a sterile container filled with ice. The wastes used in shrimp are the cephalothorax, abdominal shell and tail portion. Adhering meat from the cephalothorax was removed and the waste was washed under water and samples were dried at 50 °C with drying oven. Packed in polyethylene bags and stored at -18 °C until use. In this study, astaxanthin was extracted from shrimp shell waste using organic solvents (petroleum ether and acetone). Characterization of Astaxanthin pigment was performed with TLC buy comparing the Retardation Factor (Rf) as indicated in the Lorenz Todd standard chromatogram, in which three bands of Astaxanthin (Rf=0.36), Astaxanthin monoester (Rf=0.60) and Astaxanthin diester (Rf=0.75) were detected.