Crabderived

Crabderived is a descriptive term applied to materials, compounds, products and technologies obtained from crabs (marine and freshwater crustaceans) or from processing their bodies and shells. It encompasses a range of biological and chemical extracts, structural biomaterials, food ingredients and industrial byproducts that are produced through mechanical, chemical or enzymatic treatment of crab tissues and exoskeletons.

Common crabderived substances include chitin and its deacetylated form chitosan, extracted from shells and used for water treatment, wound dressings, biodegradable films and agricultural amendments; carotenoid pigments such as astaxanthin, used as dietary supplements and feed additives; oils, proteins and flavors recovered for food and nutraceutical purposes; and enzymes or bioactive peptides investigated for antimicrobial or biomedical applications.

Interest in crabderived materials is driven by waste valorization—converting processing discards into higher-value products—and by the unique functional properties of crustacean biomolecules. Research topics include improving extraction efficiency, developing environmentally benign processing methods, characterizing biological activities, and integrating crab-derived materials into circular economy models.

Health and safety considerations include allergic reactions linked to crustacean proteins (notably tropomyosin), and the potential for bioaccumulated contaminants such as heavy metals in tissue-derived supplements. Regulatory frameworks for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses vary by jurisdiction. Economically, crabderived industries are most active in regions with significant crab fisheries and processing sectors, where they contribute to material innovation and waste reduction.