Approximately 30-35% of global seafood production is wasted annually as processing byproducts, including lobster shells that pose environmental and economic challenges. This study developed an advanced biorefinery process for comprehensive utilization of lobster shells (Homarus americanus) to produce five valuable bioproducts through integration of microwave, enzyme, and green solvent-intensified technologies. The process begins with optimal microwave-intensified enzymatic deproteinization (DP), recovering nutritional proteins and peptides at 14.9% yield. The deproteinized shells undergo lactic acid demineralization (DM), yielding 99.6% biominerals with high solubility and bioavailability. Subsequent treatment with deep eutectic solvent (DES) under microwave intensification removes residual proteins and minerals, producing a product suitable for animal feeds and facilitating highly deacetylated chitin production at 22.3% yield. Ethanol extraction recovers lipids and pigments such as astaxanthin. The residual high-purity chitin, with nearly 50% deacetylation degree, is susceptible to mild deacetylation for chitosan and glucosamine production. The extracted chitin and chitosan demonstrate superior oil binding capacities (8.2 g/g and 12.5 g/g, respectively) compared to commercial counterparts. This biorefinery process efficiently valorizes lobster shells sustainably, producing multiple high-quality products for applications in health food, nutraceuticals, and animal feed.
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