Improved cholesterol depletion with enhanced astaxanthin and polyunsaturated fatty acids of lipid from Pacific white shrimp cephalothorax using prior ethanolic separation of polar lipid and β-Cyclodextrin

Shrimp lipid (SL) from Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cephalothorax was subjected to ethanol separation with subsequent cholesterol removal. Around 98.4% of cholesterol was removed from cholesterol rich polar lipid fraction (PLF), in which PLF/beta cyclodextrin (beta-CD)/mixed solvents (ethyl acetate/water,1:1) at the ratio of 1:10:20 (w/w/v) were used. Thereafter, PLF with lowered cholesterol was combined with non-polar fraction rich in triglycerides to obtain lowered cholesterol shrimp lipid (LC-SL). Astaxanthin content in LC-SL was augmented by three-fold, compared to that found in SL. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents of LC-SL were also significantly increased, contrasted with SL. Peroxide value and phospholipids were decreased in LC-SL (4.56 +/- 0.15 meq/kg and 9.94 +/- 1.9%) compared to those of SL (4.80 +/- 0.25 meq/kg and 49.11 +/- 2.1%), while TBARS and p-Anisidine values remained unchanged. However, conjugated dienes and free fatty acids were augmented, plausibly due to hydrolysis. FTIR spectra confirmed the increased degree of unsaturation of lipids. Thus, the lowered cholesterol shrimp lipid could be used as functional foods or nutraceutical for health promotion.