Global fish production has markedly increased to meet the rising demand for proteinand lipid-rich foods, resulting in greater waste generation and associated environmental impact [1]. Within the Horizon2020 EcoeFISHent project, this study assesses the valorization of unsorted, dehydrated side-streams derived from the filleting of farmed sea bream and sea bass, as well as from canned tuna processing [2]. Several green extraction protocols, including solid/liquid extraction (S/L), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), were investigated at laboratory scale to recover both high-value protein and lipid fractions. Based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) studies, EAE was identified as the most scalable methodology. The optimized EAE protocol enabled the simultaneous recovery of protein hydrolysates and fish oils and was subsequently scaled up to a 30 L semi‑pilot system, leading to the design and the realization of a 350 L pilot plant to ensure process continuity beyond the project’s duration [3]. The resulting protein hydrolysates displayed high purity, a balanced amino acid profile, and a low average molecular weight. The oil extracted from sea bream and sea bass side streams proved to be a valuable source of essential fatty acids and complied with regulatory standards for fish oils, supporting its potential industrial application without requiring further refinement. In collaboration with a nutraceutical‑industry partner, a compatibility study was performed to identify suitable formulations for a dietary supplement containing both protein hydrolysates and fish oils (e.g., supplements designed to support sports performance and counteract sarcopenia). Subsequently, several spray‑drying microencapsulation trials were conducted, using fish oils (from sea bream/sea bass) in combination with protein fractions extracted from sea bream/sea bass or tuna biomass as wall materials. This integrated approach represents a “closing‑the‑loop” strategy for a circular economy in the fisheries sector. The aim was to stabilize the bioactive lipid fraction, protect it from oxidation, improve sensory characteristics, and enhance both technological functionality and potential bioavailability, thereby enabling its effective incorporation into nutraceutical formulations.
Closing the Loop: From Mixed Fish Processing Side Streams to a Pilot-Scale Nutraceutical Formulation
Federica Grasso;Federica Turrini;Aseel Swaidan;Filippo Falco;Raffaella Boggia
2026-01-01
Abstract
Global fish production has markedly increased to meet the rising demand for proteinand lipid-rich foods, resulting in greater waste generation and associated environmental impact [1]. Within the Horizon2020 EcoeFISHent project, this study assesses the valorization of unsorted, dehydrated side-streams derived from the filleting of farmed sea bream and sea bass, as well as from canned tuna processing [2]. Several green extraction protocols, including solid/liquid extraction (S/L), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), were investigated at laboratory scale to recover both high-value protein and lipid fractions. Based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) studies, EAE was identified as the most scalable methodology. The optimized EAE protocol enabled the simultaneous recovery of protein hydrolysates and fish oils and was subsequently scaled up to a 30 L semi‑pilot system, leading to the design and the realization of a 350 L pilot plant to ensure process continuity beyond the project’s duration [3]. The resulting protein hydrolysates displayed high purity, a balanced amino acid profile, and a low average molecular weight. The oil extracted from sea bream and sea bass side streams proved to be a valuable source of essential fatty acids and complied with regulatory standards for fish oils, supporting its potential industrial application without requiring further refinement. In collaboration with a nutraceutical‑industry partner, a compatibility study was performed to identify suitable formulations for a dietary supplement containing both protein hydrolysates and fish oils (e.g., supplements designed to support sports performance and counteract sarcopenia). Subsequently, several spray‑drying microencapsulation trials were conducted, using fish oils (from sea bream/sea bass) in combination with protein fractions extracted from sea bream/sea bass or tuna biomass as wall materials. This integrated approach represents a “closing‑the‑loop” strategy for a circular economy in the fisheries sector. The aim was to stabilize the bioactive lipid fraction, protect it from oxidation, improve sensory characteristics, and enhance both technological functionality and potential bioavailability, thereby enabling its effective incorporation into nutraceutical formulations.
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
