Valorization of Agri-Food Waste and By-Products: Shellfish

In this chapter, the main advances in the valorization of shellfish derived biowaste are critically analyzed. The current European policy on (bio)waste management as well as the economy behind the European shellfish industry market (i.e., fundamental for the comprehension of the volumes of available biomass) are both introduced, providing a classification of the principal European shellfish products. Later, the chemical and structural composition of bivalves, cephalopods, and crustaceans shells is explained. Furthermore, the main relevant processes applicable to the shellfish solid waste for the isolation of useful chemicals are presented, with a view to propose a biorefinery model based on the most promising shellfish derived products, namely chitin and chitosan. Lastly, the technological applications of shellfish-derived products in the agrifood industry and in environmental clean-up processes are critically examined, and the most relevant literature discussed. Concerning the environmental applications, particular emphasis is dedicated to the challenging “waste for cleaning waste” vision. Analogously, the direct use of shellfish derived products in the agri-food industry is presented as an effective example of smart circular recycling.