Review of nutraceutical integration of astaxanthin extract from shrimp shell and moringa powder as chewable gummies for glycemic control

This review explores the potential of astaxanthin derived from shrimp shells and Moringa oleifera as bioactive components in chewable gummies for glycaemic control. Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant carotenoid, and Moringa, rich in bioactive compounds, demonstrate promising effects in managing blood glucose levels and mitigating oxidative stress associated with diabetes. The paper examines their extraction, bioactivity, and synergistic potential in a nutraceutical gummy formulation. It also assesses the sustainability of shrimp shell-derived astaxanthin, Moringa’s pharmacological benefits, formulation challenges, and future research directions. This integrative approach highlights a novel strategy for developing functional foods to support glycaemic management.

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Introduction

Diabetes mellitus, a global health challenge, affects over 460 million people, with projections estimating a rise to 700 million by 2045 (International Diabetes Federation, 2019) [12] . Characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress, diabetes contributes to complications such as cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy, and nephropathy (Xia et al., 2020) [25] . The demand for natural, sustainable interventions has driven interest in nutraceuticals food derived compounds offering health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Astaxanthin, a ketocarotenoid from shrimp shells, and Moringa oleifera, a nutrient-rich plant, have emerged as promising candidates for glycaemic control due to their antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties (Ambati et al., 2014; Leone et al., 2016) [1,13] . This review explores their integration into chewable gummies, a consumer-friendly delivery system, to enhance glycaemic management.

Astaxanthin: Sources and Bioactivity

Shrimp Shells as a Sustainable Source Astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-β, β-carotene-4,4'-dione) is a potent antioxidant carotenoid found in marine organisms like shrimp, krill, and microalgae such as Haematococcus pluvialis (Shah et al., 2016) [20] . Shrimp shells, a by-product of the crustacean industry, contain astaxanthin at concentrations of 4.79-239.96 µg/g, depending on species and processing methods (Wang et al., 2021) [24] . With shrimp waste constituting 50-70% of total shrimp weight, it offers a sustainable and cost-effective source for astaxanthin extraction (Ambati et al., 2014) [1] . Advanced extraction techniques, including solvent-based, ultrasound-assisted, and enzymatic methods, achieve high-purity yields (up to 87.34%) (Wang et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2019) [24,29] . These methods reduce environmental impact and enhance the economic viability of utilizing shrimp waste.

Bioactivity Relevant to Glycemic Control

Astaxanthin's antioxidant capacity, 100-500 times greater than α-tocopherol, mitigates oxidative stress, a key contributor to diabetes progression (Sila et al., 2015) [21] . In alloxaninduced diabetic rats, shrimp-derived astaxanthin reduced plasma glucose levels, lipid peroxidation markers (e.g., malondialdehyde), and restored antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (Sila et al., 2015) [21] . It also improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation by modulating pathways like NF-KB (Yu et al., 2020) [28] . Studies on diabetic models further demonstrate astaxanthin's protective effects against nephropathy and hepatotoxicity (Sila et al., 2015; Takemoto et al., 2015) [21,22] . Bioactivity relevant to glycaemic control refers to biological processes, molecules, or compounds that regulate blood glucose levels by influencing insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake, or glucose metabolism. These bioactivities are critical in managing conditions like type 2 diabetes and maintaining metabolic health. Below is a detailed description of key mechanisms and bioactive agents involved, supported by scientific literature.

Insulin and Glucagon Regulation: Insulin, secreted by pancreatic beta cells, facilitates glucose uptake in tissues via glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and suppresses hepatic glucose production (gluconeogenesis) (Saltiel & Kahn, 2001) [19] . Glucagon, released by alpha cells, counteracts insulin by promoting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis (Quesada et al., 2008) [17] . Bioactive compounds, such as incretin hormones, modulate these hormones to stabilize blood glucose.

Incretin Hormones: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are gutderived hormones that enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite (Drucker & Nauck, 2006) [6] . GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., exenatide) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (e.g., sitagliptin) leverage these bioactivities to improve glycaemic control (Nauck, 2016) [14] .

Glucose Transporters

GLUT4 mediates insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue (Saltiel & Kahn, 2001) [19] . Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in the kidneys reabsorbs glucose; SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., dapagliflozin) reduce this reabsorption, lowering blood glucose levels (Vallon, 2017) [23] .

Enzymes in Glucose Metabolism

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) enhances glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation, improving insulin sensitivity (Hardie et al., 2012) [11] . Metformin, a common antidiabetic drug, activates AMPK to reduce hepatic glucose output (Rena et al., 2017). DPP-4 degrades incretins, and its inhibition extends incretin activity, aiding glycaemic control (Nauck, 2016) [14] .

Bioactive Compounds

Polyphenols are found in berries and tea, these compounds improve insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress (Hanhineva et al., 2010) [10] . Dietary Fiber Slows carbohydrate absorption, stabilizing postprandial glucose (Anderson et al., 2009) [3] . Omega-3 Fatty Acids May enhance insulin sensitivity, though evidence is mixed (Flachs et al., 2014) [7] . Plant-Derived Compounds are Berberine activates AMPK and inhibits gluconeogenesis, showing promise in glycaemic control (Yin et al., 2008) [27] .

Inflammation and Oxidative

Stress: Chronic inflammation impairs insulin signalling, while antioxidants like alpha-lipoic acid reduce oxidative stress, supporting glycaemic control (Packer et al., 2001) [16] .

Gut Microbiota: Gut microbiota metabolites, such as shortchain fatty acids, modulate insulin sensitivity (Cani et al., 2012) [5] . Prebiotics and probiotics may enhance these effects, contributing to better glucose regulation. Bioactive compounds and drugs targeting these pathways (e.g., metformin, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors) are cornerstones of type 2 diabetes management (American Diabetes Association, 2023) [2] . Dietary interventions, including polyphenol-rich foods and fiber, complement pharmacological approaches (Anderson et al., 2009) [3] . Ongoing research explores novel bioactive, such as plant alkaloids and microbial metabolites, for their potential in diabetes prevention and treatment (Yin et al., 2008; Cani et al., 2012) [27,5] .

Moringa oleifera: Nutritional and Pharmacological Profile

Moringa oleifera, known as the "miracle tree," is rich in vitamins (A, C, E), minerals (calcium, potassium), and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and glucosinolates (Leone et al., 2016) [13] . Its leaves contain high levels of quercetin and chlorogenic acid, contributing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Leone et al., 2016) [13] . Moringa leaf extracts exhibit hypoglycaemic effects in both animal and human studies. They reduce fasting blood glucose and improve glucose tolerance by enhancing insulin secretion and sensitivity (Nova et al., 2019) [15] . Bioactive compounds like isothiocyanates inhibit hepatic glucose production, while antioxidants reduce oxidative stress, a contributor to insulin resistance (Leone et al., 2016) [13] . Clinical trials report significant reductions in HbA1c levels with Moringa supplementation at doses of 2-4 g/day (Nova et al., 2019) [15] .

Synergistic Potential of Astaxanthin and Moringa

The combination of astaxanthin and Moringa leverages their complementary mechanisms. Astaxanthin's lipid-soluble nature targets cell membranes, neutralizing reactive oxygen species, while Moringa's water-soluble antioxidants enhance systemic oxidative defence (Ambati et al., 2014; Leone et al., 2016) [1,13] . Both compounds modulate inflammatory pathways, potentially improving insulin signalling and reducing diabetic complications (Yu et al., 2020; Nova et al., 2019) [28,15] . Their synergistic effects could enhance glycaemic control by addressing oxidative stress and glucose metabolism simultaneously.

Astaxanthin Extraction:

Green extraction methods, such as supercritical fluid extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis, improve astaxanthin yield from shrimp shells. Neutral protease treatment increases yields by 3.7 times compared to traditional methods (Wang et al., 2021) [24] . Ethanol-based extraction achieves high purity (up to 85.1%) suitable for nutraceutical applications (Zhao et al., 2019) [29] . ensuring efficacy for glycaemic control (Leone et al., 2016) [13] . Spray drying or freeze-drying maintains stability for incorporation into gummies.

Moringa

Sustainability and Economic Considerations: Shrimp shells, constituting 50-70% of shrimp weight, offer a sustainable source of astaxanthin, reducing waste in the aquaculture industry (Gómez-Estaca et al., 2016) [8] . Moringa, a fast-growing plant, is economically viable for cultivation in tropical regions. Combining these ingredients in gummies aligns with consumer demand for eco-friendly, natural products.

Conclusion

The integration of shrimp shell-derived astaxanthin and Moringa oleifera in chewable gummies offers a promising nutraceutical approach for glycaemic control. Their complementary antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties, combined with sustainable sourcing and a consumerfriendly delivery system, position this formulation as a viable functional food. Continued research will further elucidate its therapeutic potential and market viability.

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