It must be noted that all used strains were able to deproteinize crab shells (more than 75% DP). The highest DP rate was obtained with B. pumilus A1 strain (94%), which exhibited the highest level of protease activity (1100 U/ml) (Table 1). High deproteinization rates were also obtained with Bacillus strains, despite the low levels of proteases produced under the same conditions.