Antioxidant and anti-lipotoxic activity of ethanolic extract from giant red shrimp (aristaeomorpha foliacea) by-products

Shrimp by-products are a promising source of bioactives. This study investigated the composition and the bioactivity of a preparation obtained in mild conditions via ethanol extraction from the cephalothorax of the Mediterranean red shrimp species Aristaeomorpha foliacea. The crude extract (CE) exhibited high levels of astaxanthin (AST) and polyphenols, which contributed to its notable antioxidant activity. Monounsaturated fatty acids dominated the lipid profile of CE (46%), reflecting a typical trait of deep-sea species, while polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids accounted for 33% and 21%, respectively. Chemical fractionation yielded a hydrophobic fraction (HF; AST-enriched) and a polar fraction (PF; polyphenols-enriched). In hepatic (HuH7) and intestinal (HCT15) human cells, CE induced dose-dependent lipid droplet accumulation and protected against palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity: it restored cell viability, reduced reactive oxygen species, prevented lipid peroxidation and induced modulation of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. While the HF alone partially reproduced these effects, full antioxidant and cytoprotective activity required the synergistic contribution of both fractions. These findings support the potential application of shrimp waste-derived ethanol extracts as sustainable sources of functional ingredients for oxidative stress-related conditions.