Review

Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition

Volume: 7 Number: 3 September 30, 2026
EN

Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition

Abstract

Monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B) are critical flavin-dependent enzymes anchored to the outer mitochondrial membrane, responsible for the oxidative deamination of biogenic amines; however, their catalytic activity generates neurotoxic by-products, including hydrogen peroxide and reactive aldehydes, which contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. While the valorization of shrimp-processing by-products (accounting for 50–60% of total landing biomass) represents an important pillar of the circular bioeconomy, their principal bioactive carotenoid, astaxanthin (AST), is widely investigated for its neuroprotective and antioxidant attributes. This critical review evaluates the mechanistic pathways through which AST mitigates neurotoxicity, with an analytical focus on its proposed, isoform-selective interactions with monoamine oxidases. Current computational docking evidence suggests that unesterified AST possesses spatial compatibility with the substrate-binding cavity of MAO-A, whereas steric hindrance prevents its accommodation within the narrow, bipartite channel of MAO-B. However, direct experimental verification such as recombinant enzyme kinetics, Ki and IC50 determinations, and cellular inhibition assays remains largely absent in the literature. Furthermore, native crustacean extracts predominantly consist of fatty-acid-esterified stereoisomers rather than the unesterified free form modeled in silico, presenting structural differences that could influence active-site entry. This review outlines the literature retrieval methodology, critically appraises verified downstream neuroprotective mechanisms (including Nrf2/HO-1 upregulation, lipid peroxidation attenuation, and mitochondrial membrane stabilization), and contrasts theoretical binding predictions against established empirical benchmarks. Existing literature gaps, discrepancies between purified standards and crude by-product extracts, and the empirical validations necessary before AST can be considered a reliable MAO-modulating candidate are discussed.

Keywords

Astaxanthin, Circular bioeconomy, Molecular docking, Monoamine oxidase, Neuroprotection, Shrimp waste

Ethical Statement

This study does not require ethical committee approval.

Thanks

This work was presented orally at Ispec 19. International Conference on Agriculture, Animal Science& Rural Development (Bingöl/ Türkiye). This study was funded by the authors’ budgets.

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APA
Dikel, Ç., & Dikel, S. (2026). Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition. Journal of Agricultural Production, 7(3), 182-191. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1989556
AMA
1.Dikel Ç, Dikel S. Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition. J Agri Pro. 2026;7(3):182-191. doi:10.56430/japro.1989556
Chicago
Dikel, Çiğdem, and Suat Dikel. 2026. “Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition”. Journal of Agricultural Production 7 (3): 182-91. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1989556.
EndNote
Dikel Ç, Dikel S (September 1, 2026) Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition. Journal of Agricultural Production 7 3 182–191.
IEEE
[1]Ç. Dikel and S. Dikel, “Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition”, J Agri Pro, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 182–191, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.56430/japro.1989556.
ISNAD
Dikel, Çiğdem - Dikel, Suat. “Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition”. Journal of Agricultural Production 7/3 (September 1, 2026): 182-191. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1989556.
JAMA
1.Dikel Ç, Dikel S. Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition. J Agri Pro. 2026;7:182–191.
MLA
Dikel, Çiğdem, and Suat Dikel. “Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition”. Journal of Agricultural Production, vol. 7, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 182-91, doi:10.56430/japro.1989556.
Vancouver
1.Çiğdem Dikel, Suat Dikel. Neuroprotective Potential of Crustacean-Derived Astaxanthin: A Review on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition. J Agri Pro. 2026 Sep. 1;7(3):182-91. doi:10.56430/japro.1989556