Journal of Marine Biology

The unprecedented growth of the global population, coupled with rising demand for animal protein consumption, has placed increasing pressure on the food industry. Nevertheless, wastes generated from seafood processing often overlooked constitute a substantial source of protein that can be utilized through sustainable approaches. Accordingly, this paper aims to examine protein extraction strategies from seafood by-products, evaluate their industrial applications, and explore the challenges and prospects associated with these technologies. This review provides a comprehensive perspective on the importance of recovering proteins from seafood processing by-products in addressing global protein demand, reducing food waste, and promoting sustainable practices. Moreover, it highlights the potential applications of these proteins in the food, animal feed, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, while elucidating the technical and economic barriers to successful commercialization. Through scaling up industrial operations and integrating technological innovations, these proteins can serve as a valuable resource for meeting the growing protein needs and contributing to a circular economy. Ultimately, collaboration among researchers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies appears essential to fully harness the potential of these protein resources.