Fish by-products and their industrial uses

Oceans are a great source of means, and fish is the proof of this: from their meat we obtain fillets, slices, portions and other cuts for human consumption as well as other raw materials for a multitude of uses in different industries.

Species of low commercial value and by-products generated by the food industry can be used to manufacture other items. Some of them are: Some of them are:

• Fish meal: With a protein content of 60-75%, it is in great demand by manufacturers of animal feed: especially petfood and aquaculture.

• Fish oil: It is an important source of Omega 3 fatty acids and is used in the production of feed, in pharmacological products, in paints and resins, and also as human food: margarines, pastries or dietary supplements.

• Protein hydrolyzates: Their demand has been increasing due to their specific use in human food. While it is true that dairy and vegetable proteins are the most widely used due to their greater availability, fish protein also has its niche in this market.

• Collagen: It is the fibrous protein and the main component of the intercellular layers or connective tissues. It is used in cosmetics such as wound dressings, and as a food supplement for the prevention and treatment of osteoarticular problems. Marine collagen is extracted from the skin and scales of fish.

• Gelatin: This water-soluble colloidal protein is obtained by controlled hydrolysis of collagen, therefore it also comes from skin and scales. It is used as a stabilizer and emulsifier in the food industry, as an encapsulation excipient in the pharmaceutical industry and also for the manufacture of photographic films, graphic films and X-ray films. In addition, it can serve as a support material for the implantation of stem cells.

• Chitosan: It is a derivative of chitin, which is a high molecular mass polysaccharide. It is found in the exoskeleton of arthropods such as shrimp, prawns, and crabs (and also in fungi and algae). Industries such as textiles, food processing, and wastewater treatment use it for manufacturing. It is also demanded in the cosmetic product development industry, and is used in pills for weight reduction and in regenerative and anti-inflammatory medicine, among others.

• Others: Products such as leather, fertilizers, biodiesel fuel and more recently plastic substitutes are also industrially produced from the remains of the fish processing for human consumption –especially viscera, skins, scales and bones–. In addition, a very recent use of Tilapia skin is its effective application for the treatment of burns. As it has a high collagen content and a similar structure to human skin, it helps to regenerate tissue through temporary grafts.

The uses of fish by-products are numerous and at EASYFISH we want to make the most of them. We market mainly with the skin and scales of Tilapia for industrial use, especially for collagen and gelatin. This circular economy allows us to take advantage of almost all the Tilapia we produce and not waste any of its parts.

Easy Fish Group