In medium containing only crab shells, the highest demineralization DM was obtained with B. licheniformis NH1(83 ± 0.5%) and B. pumilus A1 (80 ± 0.6%), while the highest deproteinization (DP) was achieved with A1(94 ± 1%) followed by NH1 (90 ± 1.5%) strains. Cultures conducted in medium containing crab shells wastesupplemented with 5% (w/v) glucose, were found to remarkably promote demineralization efficiency,and enhance slightly deproteinization rates. FTIR spectra of chitins showed the characteristics bands of-chitin.FCSs showed varying degrees of antioxidant activities which were in a dose-dependent manner(p < 0.01). In fact, FCS produced by B. amyloliquefaciens An6 exhibited the highest DPPH free radical-scavenging activity (92% at 4 mg/ml), while the lowest hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity (60%at 4 mg/ml) was obtained with B. subtilis A26 hydrolysates. However, the highest reducing power(OD700nm= 2 at 0.5 mg/ml) was obtained by B.amyloliquefaciens An6 hydrolysates. These results suggestthat crab hydrolysates are good sources of natural antioxidants. Further, FCSs were found to exhibitantibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.