Japanese Scientist Turns Discarded Crab Shells into Nanofibers

Chitin is an attractive material for beauty products because it is effective in treating irritations, cuts or bruises. It is also used as a food additive. A Japanese scientist has developed a method to turn discarded crab shells into nanofibers, which can be used in food or beauty products.

The project's leader, Professor Shinsuke Ikufu of the chemistry and biotechnology department at Japan's Tottori University, said, "After seeing thousands of tonnes of crab shells discarded every year, he decided to develop a method to recycle and take advantage of the raw material."

‘Discarded crab shells can now be recycled and converted into nanofibers, which can be used in food or beauty products.’

Ikufu subsequently designed a machine capable of processing chitin, a carbohydrate that makes up 20-30% of crab shell. The use of water and acid helped to extract the chitin from the shells, which was then refined through the machine. The results are fibers of around six nanometers in width.

As the process is, in principle, more economical than existing ones producing chitin nanofibers, Ikufu plans to create a company with the support of his university to commercialize the product.

Source: IANS