A method of processing whole fresh shellfish, including whole live bivalves, and the resulting compositions in liquid and dried form having a high yield of bioactive components with improved bioavailability. The method includes an enzyme treatment step of applying an enzyme formulation having one or more enzymes to the shellfish, and leaving the shellfish in contact with the enzyme formulation until the flesh and other biological material is substantially separated from the shells or exoskeletons of the shellfish, and liquefying the flesh and biological material using of the same enzyme formulation in the same enzyme treatment step, and/or by applying a different enzyme formulation in the same or one or more subsequent enzyme treatment steps. In a preferred method the shellfish starting material is live at the application of the enzyme. The method does not use mechanical processes to reduce the size of the shellfish before application of the enzyme.
