Isolation and characterization of carotenoproteins from crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) were separated by solid filtration into a proteinaceous fraction (PF-1) and a chitinous fraction (CF). The PF-1 and CF were used as starting materials for carotenoprotein-1 and carotenoprotein-2 preparations, respectively. Crawfish carotenoprotein-1 was obtained by controlled enzymatic autodigestion of FP-1 and carotenoprotein-2 by in situ repeated batch lactic acid fermentation. Carotenoprotein-1 has a high content of essential amino acids, ω-3- and ω-6-fatty acids and carotene (mainly astaxanthin), and constitutes an excellent nutritional source for patients with malnutrition. Carotenoprotein-2, of lower nutritional quality but with a substantial carotene content, can be used as a good protein source for animal nutrition where coloration is required, such as for poultry or for salmonid fish bred by aquaculture.