Shrimp shell peptide hydrolysates inhibit human cancer cell proliferation

Shrimp wastes contain high-quality protein that is underutilized, and particularly peptides derived from shrimp wastes (normally used as animal feed) have not been utilized for bioactive properties. Hence the objective was to utilize shrimp waste proteins in generating peptides and to investigate these for cancer antiproliferative activities. The objectives involved hydrolyzing shrimp proteins (intact in shell) using a food-grade Cryotin enzyme, obtaining gastrointestinal resistant peptides, fractionation to generate < 10, 10-30 and > 30 kDa fractions, and evaluating for colon and liver cancer cell growth inhibitory effects. Three shrimp shells--whole langostino lobster shells from El Salvador (South America), shrimp shells from St Petersburg, FL (USA), and shrimp shell whites from the Gulf of Mexico, LA (USA)--were evaluated for the study.

Peptide fractions (<10 and 10-30 kDa) obtained from shrimp shell whites (Gulf of Mexico) as well as from langostino shells (El Salvador) significantly inhibited the growth of both colon and liver cancer cells by 60%, while < 10 kDa fraction from shrimp shells (FL) inhibited growth of liver cancer cells alone by 55%, compared to controls.

The promising anticancer peptide fractions from shrimp waste proteins has the potential for novel nutraceutical ingredient applications.