Polysaccharides from shell waste of shellfish and their applications in the cosmeceutical industry: A review.

Shell waste from shellfish processing contains valuable natural polysaccharides, including sulfated polysaccharides, acidic polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans, chitin and their derivatives. These shellfish waste-derived polysaccharides have numerous functional and biological properties that can be applied in various industries, including the cosmeceutical industry. In keeping with global sustainability and green industry trends, the cosmeceuticals industry is transitioning from petrochemical-based ingredients to natural substitutes. In this context, shell waste-derived polysaccharides and their derivatives can play a major role as natural substitutes for petroleum-based components in various cosmeceutical skincare, hair care, oral care and body care products. This review focuses on the presence of polysaccharides and their derivatives in shell waste and discusses their various cosmeceutical applications in skin care, hair care, sun care, oral care and body care products. This indicates that shell waste utilization will help create a circular economy in which extracted polysaccharides are used to produce green cosmeceutical products.

Use of industry 4.0 technologies to reduce and valorize seafood waste and by-products: A narrative review on current knowledge.

Fish and other seafood products represent a valuable source of many nutrients and micronutrients for the human diet and contribute significantly to global food security. However, considerable amounts of seafood waste and by-products are generated along the seafood value and supply chain, from the sea to the consumer table, causing severe environmental damage and significant economic loss. Therefore, innovative solutions and alternative approaches are urgently needed to ensure a better management of seafood discards and mitigate their economic and environmental burdens. The use of emerging technologies, including the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) innovations (such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, smart sensors, and the Internet of Things, and other advanced technologies) to reduce and valorize seafood waste and by-products could be a promising strategy to enhance blue economy and food sustainability around the globe. This narrative review focuses on the issues and risks associated with the underutilization of waste and by-products resulting from fisheries and other seafood industries. Particularly, recent technological advances and digital tools being harnessed for the prevention and valorization of these natural invaluable resources are highlighted.

Detection methods of micro and nanoplastics.

Plastics and related contaminants (including microplastics; MPs and nanoplastics; NPs) have become a serious global safety issue due to their overuse in many products and applications and their inadequate management, leading to possible leakage into the environment and eventually to the food chain and humans. There is a growing literature reporting on the occurrence of plastics, (MPs and NPs) in both marine and terrestrial organisms, with many indications about the harmful impact of these contaminants on plants and animals, as well as potential human health risks. The presence of MPs and NPs in many foods and beverages including seafood (especially finfish, crustaceans, bivalves, and cephalopods), fruits, vegetables, milk, wine and beer, meat, and table salts, has become popular research areas in recent years. Detection, identification, and quantification of MPs and NPs have been widely investigated using a wide range of traditional methods, such as visual and optical methods, scanning electron microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, but these methods are burdened with a number of limitations. In contrast, spectroscopic techniques, especially Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, and other emerging techniques, such as hyperspectral imaging are increasingly being applied due to their potential to enable rapid, non-destructive, and high-throughput analysis. Despite huge research efforts, there is still an overarching need to develop reliable analytical techniques with low cost and high efficiency. Mitigation of plastic pollution requires establishing standard and harmonized methods, adopting holistic approaches, and raising awareness and engaging the public and policymakers. Therefore, this chapter focuses mainly on identification and quantification techniques of MPs and NPs in different food matrices (mostly seafood).

Stress related blood values in Scyliorhinus canicula as live-indicators of physiological status after bottom trawling capture activity.

The quantification of capture-related physiological stress is an important factor when assessing the potential for post-release survival in sharks that are incidentally captured. In the absence of these biological data and when the post-release fate is unknown, effective management plans cannot be formulated and may lead to highly susceptible shark populations being overfished. Here, we measured the levels of lactate, glucose, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), Ca2+, Na+ K+,Cl - Mg 2+ and Pi in the plasma of mature and immature lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula, herein dogfish) which were incidentally captured at two depths (shallow: 50-200 m, and deep: 201-500 m) by bottom trawl off the coast of southern Sicily. These values were used as biomarkers and physiological indicators of the secondary stress response associated with capture. This study found that dogfish captured in deeper waters (below 200 m) had elevated levels of glucose, Na+, Ca2+ and K+ compared to those inhabiting depths less than <200 m. We hypothesize that the elevated levels of physiological stress in dogfish captured at greater depths may be related to the prolonged duration of the interactions with the fishing gear in the area off southern Sicily. Our findings provide new data on the capture-related stress in dogfish and increase the understanding of the potential for post-release survival in sharks captured at two depths by bottom trawl, information that is important for improving the general management plans for the fishery. However, our PC Analysis results revealed that Maturity have a positive contribution from the sample weight, sample length, ALT, AST and a negative contribution from Pi.

Structural characteristic and molecular docking simulation of fish protein-derived peptides: Recent updates on antioxidant, anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic peptides.

Over the decade, fish protein-derived peptides (FPDP) have been evaluated for various biological activities including their mechanism of action through structure-activity relationship (SAR) and molecular simulation. SAR studies are known to provide the basic structural information of the active site which can be used for designing synthetic bioactive peptides for application in therapeutics and medicinal purposes. In light of the above discussion, this review discusses the mechanism of action and SAR of the FPDP with a focus on three widely studied bioactive properties including antioxidant, antihypertensive and anti-diabetic activities. The emphasis is given to the recently purified and identified FPDP from various seafood resources. A brief discussion has been made on their structural characteristics and mechanism of action towards antioxidant, angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activities. Additionally, the importance and future perspective of SAR of food-derived bioactive peptides have been addressed.

Exploring the role of green and Industry 4.0 technologies in achieving sustainable development goals in food sectors.

In recent years, the rapid increase in the global population, the challenges associated with climate change, and the emergence of new pandemics have all become major threats to food security worldwide. Consequently, innovative solutions are urgently needed to address the current challenges and enhance food sustainability. Green technologies have gained significant attention for many food applications, while the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) are reshaping different production and consumption sectors, such as food and agriculture. In this review, a general overview of green and Industry 4.0 technologies from a food perspective will be provided. Connections between green food technologies (e.g., green preservation, processing, extraction, and analysis) and Industry 4.0 enablers (e.g., artificial intelligence, big data, smart sensors, robotics, blockchain, and the Internet of Things) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be identified and explained. Green and Industry 4.0 technologies are both rapidly becoming a valuable part of meeting the SDGs. These technologies demonstrate high potential to foster ecological and digital transitions of food systems, delivering societal, economic, and environmental outcomes. A range of green technologies has already provided innovative solutions for major food system transformations, while the application of digital technologies and other Industry 4.0 technological innovations is still limited in the food sector. It is therefore expected that more green and digital solutions will be adopted in the coming years, harnessing their full potential to achieve a healthier, smarter, more sustainable and more resilient food future.

Effect of different packaging methods on the free amino acid profiles of the deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) during frozen storage.

The composition of free amino acids (FAAs) in seafood products contributes to characterizing their flavor, as well as freshness and quality during storage. Deep-water rose shrimps (Parapenaues longirostris, Lucas, 1846) (DWRS) are being increasingly harvested in the Mediterranean Sea, and the captured specimens are quickly frozen onboard fishing trawlers to preserve freshness and post-harvest quality. Here, we quantified the FAA profiles of DWRS packaged using five methods: (1) 100% N2; (2) vacuum; (3) 50% N2 + 50% CO2; (4) commercial anhydrous sodium sulfite; and (5) air (control). All samples were quickly frozen at -35°C and stored for 12 months at -18°C. Arginine (661 mg/100 g), proline (538 mg/100 g), and glycine (424 mg/100 g) were the most abundant FAAs, whereas the least abundant were tyrosine (67 mg/100 g), histidine (58 mg/100 g), and aspartic acid (34 mg/100 g). FAAs in all samples gradually (and significantly) increased in the first 6 to 8 months of storage, and then significantly decreased. The sodium sulfite treatment (Method 4) kept the initial FAA contents lower than the other treatments, due to the strong antioxidant action of sulfite agents. Interestingly, similar results were obtained for vacuum packaging (Method 2). Thus, combining frozen storage with vacuum packaging represents an alternative approach to chemical additives in shrimp/prawn processing to meet the increasing demand for high-quality seafood products with long shelf-life.

Plastic ingestion by Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) from central Mediterranean Sea: A potential cause for endocrine disruption.

Plastics in the oceans can break up into smaller size and shape resembling prey or particles selected for ingestion by marine organisms. Plastic polymers may contain chemical additives and contaminants, including known endocrine disruptors that may be harmful for the marine organisms, in turn posing potential risks to marine ecosystems, biodiversity and food availability. This study assesses the presence of plastics in the contents of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of a commercial fish species, the Atlantic horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus, sampled from two different fishing areas of central Mediterranean Sea. Adverse effect of plastics occurrence on T. Trachurus health were also assessed quantifying the liver expression of vitellogenin (VTG), a biomarker for endocrine disruption. A total of 92 specimens were collected and morphometric indices were analysed. A subgroup was examined for microplastics (MP < 1 mm) and macroplastics (MaP >1 cm) accumulation in the GIT and for VTG expression. Results indicated that specimens from the two locations are different in size and maturity but the ingestion of plastic is widespread, with microplastics (fragments and filaments) abundantly present in nearly all samples while macroplastics were found in the larger specimens, collected in one of the two locations. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that the most abundant polymers in MP fragments were polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene, whereas MP filaments were identified mainly as nylon 6, acrylic and polyester. MaP were composed mainly of weathered polyethylene or polypropylene. The expression of VTG was observed in the liver of 60% of all male specimens from both locations. The results of this study represent a first evidence that the ingestion of plastic pollution may alter endocrine system function in adult fish T. Trachurus and warrants further research.

Functional and Quality Characteristics of Ginger, Pineapple, and Turmeric Juice Mix as Influenced by Blend Variations.

In this current work, the functional and quality characteristics of ginger, pineapple, and turmeric juice mix as influenced by blend variations were investigated. Specifically, the blends had constant ginger amounts, decreased pineapple, and increased turmeric proportionally. Additionally, the functional properties involved physicochemical (pH, soluble solids (SS), total titratable acidity (TA) and viscosity), proximate (moisture, protein, fat and ash), minerals (Ca, and Mg) and vitamin C and ß-carotene analyses, whereas quality properties involved microbiological and sensory analyses. The results showed that as quantities of pineapple and turmeric respectively decreased and increased, there was significant increases in Ca, Mg, vitamin C, and ß-carotene contents (p < 0.05). Across the blends, the degree of significant differences (p < 0.05) in the protein, fat, and ash seemed more compared to those of moisture contents. Despite the increases in pH and viscosity, and decreases in SS and TA, the increases in turmeric potentially reinforced by ginger most likely decreased the bacterial/fungi counts, as well as inhibition zones. Increasing and decreasing the respective amounts of turmeric and pineapple might not necessarily make the blends more acceptable, given the decreases in appearance, taste, aroma, and mouthfeel scores.

Hydrogen Peroxide Effects on Natural-Sourced Polysacchrides: Free Radical Formation/Production, Degradation Process, and Reaction Mechanism-A Critical Synopsis.

Numerous reactive oxygen species (ROS) entities exist, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is very key among them as it is well known to possess a stable but poor reactivity capable of generating free radicals. Considered among reactive atoms, molecules, and compounds with electron-rich sites, free radicals emerging from metabolic reactions during cellular respirations can induce oxidative stress and cause cellular structure damage, resulting in diverse life-threatening diseases when produced in excess. Therefore, an antioxidant is needed to curb the overproduction of free radicals especially in biological systems (in vivo and in vitro). Despite the inherent properties limiting its bioactivities, polysaccharides from natural sources increasingly gain research attention given their position as a functional ingredient. Improving the functionality and bioactivity of polysaccharides have been established through degradation of their molecular integrity. In this critical synopsis; we articulate the effects of H2O2 on the degradation of polysaccharides from natural sources. Specifically, the synopsis focused on free radical formation/production, polysaccharide degradation processes with H2O2, the effects of polysaccharide degradation on the structural characteristics; physicochemical properties; and bioactivities; in addition to the antioxidant capability. The degradation mechanisms involving polysaccharide's antioxidative property; with some examples and their respective sources are briefly summarised.

Adverse effects of plastic ingestion on the Mediterranean small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula).

Plastics are widely diffused in the oceans and their ingestion by marine organisms is raising concern for potentially adverse effects. The risk of harmful interactions with marine plastic pollution depends on the biology of the species as well as the distribution and abundance of the different plastic types. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of plastic ingestion by the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula), one of the most abundant elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea. The expression levels of genes indicative of total immune system function were analyzed to gather preliminary data for further investigation of any potential correlations between plastic presence and immune activation. One hundred catsharks were collected during the Spring 2018 in two geographic locations in the southern region of the central Mediterranean Sea: 1) near Mazara del Vallo, SW Sicily and 2) near Lampedusa island, Italy's southernmost. Standard measurements were recorded for each specimen and its organs and sex was determined. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was preserved for plastic detection and identification. Where present, plastics (macro- and micro-) were characterized in terms of size, shape and polymer typology through microscopy and µ-Raman spectroscopy. Spleen from a subset of thirty samples was preserved for RNA extraction, then used to quantify by real time PCR the transcripts of T cell receptor beta (TCRB), T cell receptor delta (TCRD) and IgM genes. The results indicated that ingestion of plastic is widespread, with microplastics (MP, from 1 µm to <1 mm) abundantly present in nearly all samples and macroplasticplastic (MaP, > 1 cm) in approximately 18% of the specimens collected. A significant increase in the expression of TCRB, TCRD and IgM was observed in the spleen of MaP + specimens from Mazara del Vallo waters, in parallel with 67% increase in liver weight. While the presence of MP alone is not enough to induce a strong activation of the immunity, some type of plastics falling into the MaP category may be more toxic than others and crucial in the activation of the immune response. The results of this study represent a first evidence that plastic pollution represents an emerging threat to S. canicula, the Mediterranean food web and human consumers.

The combined impact of cold smoking and natural antioxidants on quality and shelf life of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) fillets.

This study aimed to produce new value-added products from dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) as fillets when using cold smoking combined with natural antioxidants, obtained from Halocnemum strobilaceum a plant belonging to halophytes. The fillet treatments were controlled (untreated), immersed in standard brine (STD), treated with NaCI and antioxidant before freezing (Aox-pre) and treated with NaCl and antioxidant after thawing (Aox-post). The quality of dolphinfish fillets was assessed using sensory, biochemical, microbiological, and technological parameters. Treating fillets with antioxidants before freezing and cold smoking (Aox-pre) enhanced significantly the shelf life, as well as improved the biochemical, microbiological, and sensory aspects of the product. Aox-pre fillets had the lowest peroxide values (PV) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, demonstrating that the immediate treatment of fillets with the polyphenols protected lipids from peroxidation. The smoking process, together with antioxidant treatment, significantly reduced microbial counts after 15 days of storage, compared to the control. Overall, combining antioxidant treatments with cold smoking has a positive effect on the quality of Aox-pre fillets with respect to both sensory components and biochemical parameters associated with shelf life. Consequently, Aox-pre treatment enhances the marketability of this species, promoting local and seasonal products, contributing to costal fisheries sustainability.

Heavy metals concentrations in some commercially key species from Sicilian coasts (Mediterranean Sea): Potential human health risk estimation.

Trace elements were measured in the edible tissues of target marine species (Sardina pilchardus, Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus, Merluccius merluccius and Parapenaeus longirostris) collected in some of the main ports of the Sicilian coast (southern Italy) in order to evaluate the potential human health risk associated to their consumption. Cadmium, Pb and Hg were below the tolerable limits reported by the European Union in foodstuffs (Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006) except for Hg in P. longirostris from one sampling site. The health risk for consumers was assessed both for adults and children calculating the estimated weekly intake (EWI), the target hazard quotient (THQ) and the lifetime cancer risk (CR) for each element. The EWI did not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) recommended by the European Food Safety Authority and THQs were < 1 in most cases. Further, the probabilistic distributions of health hazard were evaluated through Monte-Carlo simulation which confirmed a non-carcinogenic risk. With some exceptions related to As exposure, the results obtained definitively confirm the goodness of the fishery commercial resources in one of the most important seafood market of the central Mediterranean Sea and represent a positive data for the assessment of the good environmental status for descriptor 9 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in this area of the basin.

Hazardous properties and toxicological update of mercury: From fish food to human health safety perspective.

The mercury (Hg) poisoning of Minamata Bay of Japan widely activated a global attention to Hg toxicity and its potential consequences to the aquatic ecosystem and human health. This has resulted to an increased need for a dynamic assembly, contextualization, and quantification of both the current state-of-the-art and approaches for understanding the cause-and-effect relationships of Hg exposure. Thus, the objective of this present review is to provide both hazardous toxic properties and toxicological update of Hg, focusing on how it ultimately affects the aquatic biota to potentially produce human health effects. Primarily, we discussed processes that relate to Hg exposure, including immunological aspects and risk assessment, vulnerability, toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics, using edible fish, swordfish (Xiphias gladius), as a model. In addition, we summarized available information about Hg concentration limits set by different governmental agencies, as recognized by national and international standardization authorities.

Effects of different ozonized slurry-ice treatments and superchilling storage (-1°C) on microbial spoilage of two important pelagic fish species.

Combining different preservative treatments for improving quality and safety of fishery products increasingly receives global research attention. Consistent with this pursuit, the current research was undertaken to determine the effects of different ozonized slurry-ice treatments and superchilling (-1°C) storage on microbial spoilage of European anchovy (Eugraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus), which are two commercially important pelagic fish species. After the catch (within <5 hr) and at defined scheduled storage times, ozone has been discharged once on sardine (herein referred to as "One-T") and repeatedly/sequentially on European anchovy (herein referred to as "Seq-T"). Microbiological analyses enumerated total viable count (TVC), Bacillus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus spp., Moraxella spp., Shewanella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas spp. Independent of potential antimicrobial effects of ozone during superchilling storage, no Listeria spp., Shewanella spp., Moraxella spp., and Bacillus spp. were found in all processed samples. While Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillus spp. were detected at below 1 log cfu/g, both TVC and Pseudomonas spp. proliferated at different rates throughout superchilling storage. The repeated ozone-treated ("Seq-T") showed lower TVC and Pseudomonas spp. values compared with one-time treated ("One-T") slurry-iced and control samples. Thus, combined slurry-ice and superchilling storage at Seq-T produced improved antimicrobial activity over One-T application. Largely, ozonized slurry-ice outcomes/results appear promising thanks to superchilling storage.

Toward crustacean without chemicals: a descriptive analysis of consumer response using price comparisons.

BACKGROUND: To date, there seems to be limited-to-zero emphasis about how consumers perceive crustacean products subject to either chemical and or non-chemical preservative treatments. In addition, studies that investigated price comparisons of crustacean products subject to either chemical or chemical-free preservative methods seem unreported. OBJECTIVE: This study focused on providing some foundational knowledge about how consumers perceive traditionally harvested crustaceans that are either chemical-treated and or free of chemicals, incorporating price comparisons using a descriptive approach. DESIGN: The study design employed a questionnaire approach via interview using a computer-assisted telephone system and sampled 1,540 participants across five key locations in Italy. To actualize consumer sensitivity, 'price' was the focus given its crucial role as a consumption barrier. Prior to this, variables such as demographic characteristics of participants, frequency of purchasing, quality attributes/factors that limit the consumption of crustaceans were equally considered. RESULTS: By price comparisons, consumers are likely to favor chemical-free (modified atmosphere packaging) crustacean products amid a price increase of up to 15%. But, a further price increase such as by 25% could markedly damage consumers' feelings, which might lead to a considerable number opting out in favor of either chemical-treated or other seafood products. Comparing locations, the studied variables showed no statistical differences (p>0.05). On the contrary, the response weightings fluctuated across the studied categories. Both response weightings and coefficient of variation helped reveal more about how responses deviated per variable categories. CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed some foundational knowledge about how consumers perceive traditionally harvested crustaceans that were either chemical-treated or subject to chemical-free preservative up to price sensitivity using Italy as a reference case, which is applicable to other parts of the globe.

Polyphenols from halophytes and modified atmosphere packaging improve sensorial and biochemical markers of quality of common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) fillets.

Quality and shelf-life of whole and filleted Coryphaena hippurus, stored with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and natural antioxidants from halophytes (HAL), were investigated. Fillets were divided into control, simply sealed in trays; MAP, preserved by modified atmosphere (45% CO2, 50% N2, 5% O2); and MAP-HAL, pretreated with antioxidants and preserved by MAP. Whole and filleted fish were stored at -1 ± 0.5°C for 18 days. The quality of the samples was analyzed at the time of packaging and after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 days. The MAP and MAP-HAL groups maintained the best sensorial profile, pH, and drip loss with respect to the untreated fillets. Higher levels of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and oxidized proteins were observed in untreated samples with respect to the MAP and MAP-HAL groups. The principle component analysis revealed a different quality profile for untreated and MAP-treated fish.

Toward shrimp consumption without chemicals: Combined effects of freezing and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on some quality characteristics of Giant Red Shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) during storage.

The combined effects of freezing and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (100% N2 and 50% N2+50% CO2) on some quality characteristics of Giant Red Shrimp (GRS) (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) was studied during 12-month storage. In particular, the quality characteristics determined proximal and gas compositions, melanosis scores, pH, total volatile basic-nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) as well as free amino acid (FAA). In addition, the emergent data were compared to those subject to vacuum packaging as well as conventional preservative method of sulphite treatment (SUL). Most determined qualities exhibited quantitative differences with storage. By comparisons, while pH and TVB-N statistically varied between treatments (P<0.05) and TBA that ranged between ∼0.15 and 0.30 mg MDA/kg appeared least at end of storage for 100% N2 treated-group, the latter having decreased melanosis scores showed such treatments with high promise to keep the colour of GRS sample hence, potential replacement for SUL group. By comparisons also, while some individual FAA values showed increases especially at the 100% N2-treated group, the total FAAs statistically differed with storage (P<0.05). The combination of freezing and MAP treatments as preservative treatment method shows high promise to influence some quality characteristics of GRS samples of this study.

Investigating the biometric and physicochemical characteristics of freshly harvested Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): a comparative approach.

BACKGROUND: The practicality of biometrics of seafood cannot be overemphasized, particularly for competent authorities of the shrimp industry. However, there is a paucity of relevant literature on the relationship between biometric and physicochemical indices of freshly harvested shrimp. This work therefore investigated the relationship between biometric (standard length (SL), total weight (TW) and condition factor (CF)) and physicochemical (moisture content, pH, titratable acidity, water activity, water retention index, colour values and fracturability) characteristics of freshly harvested Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) obtained from three different farms. The relationships between these parameters were determined using correlation and regression analyses. RESULTS: No significant correlation (P > 0.05) was found between the biometric and physicochemical indices of the sampled L. vannamei specimens. Possibly the lack of post-mortem and physical change(s) at day of harvest together with the absence of temporal variable may have collectively limited the degree of any significant correlation between biometric and physicochemical data points measured in this study. Although the TWs of freshly harvested L. vannamei shrimp resembled (P > 0.05), SL and CF differed significantly (P < 0.05) with minimal explained variance. Moreover, some biometric and physicochemical variables were independently correlated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Data indicated that no significant correlation existed between biometric and physicochemical characteristics of freshly harvested L. vannamei shrimp. Across the farms studied, however, the biometric data were comparable. To best knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the biometric and physicochemical properties of freshly harvested shrimp using a comparative approach, which is also applicable to other economically important aquaculture species. Overall, this work provides useful information for competent authorities/stakeholders of the fishery industry and serves as a baseline for preservative treatments.