Deriving bioplastics and value-added products from lobster shells
Kozma, Michael Acharya, Bishnu Bissessur, Rabin
2021 UPEI Graduate Studies and Research Conference
Abstract
2021
Lobster shell waste is typically dumped in the ocean to decompose. Rather than being discarded, lobster shell waste could prove to be a valuable economic resource. Chitosan extracted from lobster shells can be used to make bioplastics. By-products of this extraction could potentially yield other value-added products. This presentation introduces research investigating this process, the early stages of which are focused on optimizing the extraction of chitosan from lobster shells and purification Show moreLobster shell waste is typically dumped in the ocean to decompose. Rather than being discarded, lobster shell waste could prove to be a valuable economic resource. Chitosan extracted from lobster shells can be used to make bioplastics. By-products of this extraction could potentially yield other value-added products. This presentation introduces research investigating this process, the early stages of which are focused on optimizing the extraction of chitosan from lobster shells and purification of by-products. A summary of the background to the research is followed by an explanation of the extraction process and the data gathered to this point, largely characterization of products by infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The presentation concludes with the projected direction of the research project. Show less
