The aim of this work was to evaluate the fermentability of mussel work-processing wastes by lactic acid bacteria in order to remove and to upgrade a material that generate important focuses of pollution in coastal areas. With this perspective, three lactobacilli (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri) were employed, and the production of metabolites, as well as the nutrient uptake, was evaluated. The effects of inoculum concentration and previous sterilization process were also studied. The kinetic tests were performed in semi-solid cultures and the results indicated the high feasibility of these materials as substrate for bio-silage production. Cultivations of 24 h led to productions of more than 90 g L(-1) of lactic acid and 9 g L(-1) of final protein. All the fermentation assays were stable for various days without contaminations by other bacteria. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.