A method for fermentation of shrimp waste was standardized using a statistically designed experiment, with respect to three variables namely, levels of glucose and starter culture and time of fermentation. The optimized levels for achieving the desired pH was 20.5% glucose, 19.5 x 10(4) cells/g of starter culture and fermentation time of 70 It. Recovery of carotenoids from fermented and acid ensiled shrimp waste was assessed during 75 days of storage. Acid ensilaging resulted in the reduction of solvent extraction yield of carotenoids from 43.09 to 26.76 mu g/g by the end of 75 days of storage. The yield of oil extracted carotenoids was higher in both types of silage at the end of 75 days storage compared to the initial yield, being 31.30 mu g/g in fermented silage and 26.18 mu g/g in acid silage. The results indicated the usefulness of fermentation as a method for stabilization and recovery of carotenoids in the shrimp waste. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.