Crustacean waste, consisting of shells and other inedible fractions, represents an underutilized source of chitin. Here, we explore developments in the field of crustacean-waste-derived chitin and chitosan extraction and utilization, evaluating emerging food systems and biotechnological applications associated with this globally abundant waste stream. We consider how improving the efficiency and selectivity of chitin separation from wastes, redesigning its chemical structure to improve biotechnology-derived chitosan, converting it into value-added chemicals, and developing new applications for chitin (such as the fabrication of advanced nanomaterials used in fully biobased electric devices) can contribute towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, we consider how gaps in the research could be filled and future opportunities could be developed to make optimal use of this important waste stream for food systems and beyond.

由贝壳和其他不可食用部分组成的甲壳类动物废物是甲壳素未充分利用的来源。在这里，我们探索了甲壳类动物废物来源的几丁质和壳聚糖提取和利用领域的发展，评估了与这种全球丰富的废物流相关的新兴食品系统和生物技术应用。我们考虑如何提高从废物中分离甲壳素的效率和选择性，重新设计其化学结构以改进生物技术衍生的壳聚糖，将其转化为增值化学品，以及开发甲壳素的新应用（例如制造用于完全生物基电子设备）可以为实现联合国可持续发展目标做出贡献。最后，