Aussie Start-Up Turns Processing Waste into Cooking Oil

Sydney-based start-up Seeweedery is transforming its processing waste such as prawn shells into prawn oil for cooking oil, reports the FoodNavigator-Asia on October 21.  Prawn oil is the company’s first product, using the by-products of wild caught prawns from Perth-based Austral Fisheries.  According to Seeweedery’s co-founder Natalie Kalinova, Austral Fisheries annual prawn processing waste volume is approximately 100 tons.  Austral Fisheries is a MSC certified, carbon neutral fishery specialising in fish and prawns.  

About 20,000 tons of wild caught prawns are harvested yearly in Australia, excluding farmed or aquaculture.  Kalinova said this represents a huge opportunity to turn the discarded prawn waste into value-added products.  She told FoodNavigator-Asia that the company replicates culinary techniques such as heat to extract the flavours and nutrients of the prawnn shells, rather than using chemicals.   
Its prawn oil contains extracts from prawn shells as well as vegetable oil.  With a gentle and mild taste profile, it can be used for cooking or dressings.  In terms of nutritional value, Kalinova explained that the prawn oil contained phospholipid, the best form of omega-3 fatty acid which provides the maximum absorption rate.  In addition, it contains astaxanthin, often known as a super antioxidant.  Research has shown astaxanthin’s beneficial effects on heart health, joint pain, skin health, anti-cancer and fatique.