Ljuštura bodljobradog raka (Faxonius limosus) kao izvor astaksantina

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a red-colored carotenoid with strong antioxidant activity. Due to its lower production costs, approximately 95% of commercially produced astaxanthin is synthetic. However, growing consumer interest in natural antioxidants has increased the need for new methods of obtaining astaxanthin from natural sources. The spiny-cheek crayfish, Faxonius limosus, is an invasive species that was first detected in the Danube in Serbia in 2002. Since then, its distribution has expanded, posing a threat to native crayfish species, especially because it can transmit crayfish plague. Therefore, new approaches are needed to help control its population. One possible approach is the use of F. limosus shells as a source of astaxanthin. In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction with ethanol was used to recover astaxanthin from the shells. Optimization of the extraction process rešulted in an aštaxanthin ćonćentration of 689.12 μg/g under the optimal conditions of 123.14 mg shell mass, 28.14 min extraction time, and 75.71% ethanol concentration. Extraction selectivity, which shows the proportion of astaxanthin in the total extracted material, ranged from 0.03 to 4.78%. This indicates that other compounds from the shells were also extracted. The results show that ultrasoundassisted extraction can be used to recover natural astaxanthin from F. limosus shells, while also supporting the use of this invasive species as a valuable resource. Future research should focus on improving extraction selectivity and obtaining extracts richer in astaxanthin.