Evaluación de la actividad antioxidante, carotenoides totales, rendimiento global y perfil de extractos obtenidos a partir de cáscaras de camarón mediante propano subcrítico y Soxhlet

Abstract

Ecuador is one of the world's leading producers of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), generating approximately 1.2 million tons annually, of which around 40 percent corresponds to by-products such as shells and heads. This study aimed to valorize these residues through the extraction of bioactive compounds, particularly astaxanthin, using two methods: Soxhlet extraction, considered a standard procedure for bioactive compound extraction, and subcritical propane extraction, an environmentally friendly alternative. Global yields were determined, antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the DPPH assay, total carotenoids were estimated by spectrophotometry, and qualitative composition was analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The results showed that Soxhlet extraction yielded 2,55 percent, significantly higher than the 0,15 percent obtained with subcritical propane. Regarding total carotenoid concentration, Soxhlet produced 8,55 micrograms per milliliter, compared to 3,80 micrograms per milliliter for subcritical propane. However, the extracts obtained with subcritical propane exhibited greater antioxidant capacity, reaching 68,48 percent, compared to 51,85 percent for Soxhlet. Additionally, better migration patterns were observed in TLC for the subcritical propane extracts, suggesting higher purity, likely due to the solvent’s selectivity.