Characterization of spray-dried carotenoprotein powder from Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) shells and head waste extracted using papain: Antioxidant, spectroscopic, and microstructural properties

Spray-dried carotenoprotein powder from Pacific white shrimp shells (CPSS) and head (CPSH) waste extracted using papain enzyme were investigated for their antioxidant, spectroscopic, and microstructural properties. The enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were optimized through an experimental Box-Behnken design using response surface methodology (RSM). Optimum hydrolysis conditions to acquire a maximum degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 52.45% for CPSS and 55.36% for CPSH were the enzyme/substrate ratio (CPSS: 2 g/100 g; CPSH: 1.09 g/100 g), temperature (CPSS: 54.41 °C; CPSH: 46.23 °C), pH (CPSS: 6.82; CPSH: 7.22), and time (CPSS: 48.91 min; CPSH: 51.17 min). The analysis of the carotenoprotein powder indicated that protein content (86.16%), DPPH activity (89.55%), and FRAP (2230.5 μmol TE/mL) were higher in the CPSH compared to CPSS. The intensity of the β-sheets were higher in CPSH. The microstructure of the CPSS were rounder and wrinkle-free compared to CPSH powder. The study found that spray-dried carotenoprotein powder recovered from the head waste of Litopenaeus vannamei possessed excellent characteristics compared to shell waste and might be used for fortification and enrichment as a nutraceutical in the food processing industry. •Spray-dried carotenoprotein powder from L. vannamei shell (CPSS) and head (CPSH) waste were prepared.•Both CPSS and CPSH had higher amount of protein with low carotenoid contents.•CPSH showed better antioxidant activity like DPPH and FRAP as compared to CPSS.•SEM image of CPSS showed better surface morphology than CPSH.