Biotechnological Valorization of Fishery and Seafood Processing Waste into High-Value Bioproducts

Fishery and seafood processing generates substantial quantities of by-products such as shells, skins, scales, bones, viscera, heads, and processing effluents, which are rich in proteins, collagen, gelatin, chitin, chitosan, lipids, minerals, pigments, and other bioactive compounds. Conventional disposal of these materials contributes to environmental pollution and resource loss. Emerging biotechnological approaches, including enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial conversion including by haloarchaeal organisms, microbial enzyme production, precision biocatalysis, and integrated biorefinery systems, provide sustainable alternatives for converting these residues into functional ingredients and industrial bioproducts. These technologies improve recovery efficiency, reduce chemical consumption, enhance product quality, and support environmentally responsible manufacturing. Continued innovation is essential to bridge laboratory-scale discoveries with industrial applications and to strengthen the circular bioeconomy within fisheries and seafood processing sectors.The growing volume of fishery and seafood processing waste presents both an environmental challenge and an untapped reservoir of valuable biomolecules. Recent advances in biotechnology have enabled the sustainable conversion of these underutilized resources into high-value bioproducts through environmentally friendly and economically viable processes. This Research Topic aims to highlight innovative biotechnological strategies, including enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial conversion including by haloarchaeal organisms, enzyme-assisted bioprocessing, and integrated biorefinery approaches for the valorization of seafood processing by-products. We seek contributions that demonstrate novel technologies for improving extraction efficiency, product functionality, process sustainability, and industrial scalability. By bringing together advances in biotechnology, bioengineering, food science, microbiology, and marine sciences, this collection aims to promote circular bioeconomy principles while accelerating the commercialization of value-added products derived from fishery and seafood processing waste.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, mini reviews, methods, and perspectives addressing cutting-edge biotechnological approaches for the valorization of fishery and seafood processing waste. Topics include, but are not limited to:• Enzymatic hydrolysis and enzyme-assisted extraction technologies;• Microbial conversion including by haloarchaeal organisms for waste bioconversion;• Discovery and production of industrial enzymes and biocatalysts;• Green extraction technologies integrated with biotechnology;• Recovery and production of collagen, gelatin, chitin, chitosan, peptides, bioactive compounds, pigments, enzymes, and biopolymers;• Development of biomaterials, nanobiomaterials, and bioactive packaging;• Bioprocess optimization and integrated biorefinery approaches supporting circular bioeconomy and sustainable blue biotechnology. Topic editors: Soibam Ngasotter, K.A. Martin Xavier, Umesh Patil Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85814/biotechnological-valorization-of-fishery-and-seafood-processing-waste-into-high-value-bioproducts