Application of matrix solid-phase dispersion on astaxanthin extraction from white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) by-product

The extraction of astaxanthin (ATX) from white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) shells by matrix solid-phase dispersion was conducted to evaluate the conditions and efficiency of the extraction. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the ratio of raw material to dispersion agent on the extraction efficiency of ATX from white leg shrimp shells. The second experiment investigated the effect of moisture of raw materials on extraction efficiency. The results showed that white leg shrimp shells mixed with silica gel at the ratio of silica gel to raw material of 5% and moisture of raw materials of 30% produce the highest ATX extraction efficiency. In these conditions, ATX yield was 17.2 |jg g-1 raw material at the given moisture. After evaporation, the ATX content was 3.4 mg g-1 final extracted product.