Grant: Engage Grants Program

The proposal intends to prepare bioactive peptides from protein residues of shrimp shells as a co-product inproduction of chitin/chitosan of medical-grade. In this association, pigments present in the shells will also beprocured. The process uses a number of commercially available enzymes so that it is a green process and use ofenzymes allows it to be economically attractive as its energy use is minimal. The identity of the peptides soprepared, with respect to their molecular weight range and amino acid profile will be assessed. The peptide mix(hydrolysate) so produced will also be examined for its antioxidant potential. The bioactive peptides (proteinhydrolysates) so prepared are important in their blood pressure lowering activity as assessed by angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Some of the ACE inhibitory peptides available in the market are quiteexpensive and thus the product in this research may be considered as value-added. In addition, the crudehydrolysates could also serve as phosphate alternative in muscle food products to improve cooking/processingyield. The findings of this project, as mandated by the Chitocean would help them to enter a niche market forhigh value products to augment its medical grade chitosan manufacture. Chitocean, a young start up companyis investing heavily in R&D and has received/is receiving support for its initiatives to then commercialize itshigh value products.