Open Access

REVIEW

Potential Economic Value of Chitin and Its Derivatives as Major Biomaterials of Seafood Waste, with Particular Reference to Southeast Asia

Hsiao Wei Tan¹, Zhi Yin Joan Lim², Nur Airina Muhamad³, Fong Fong Liew^4,*

1 Institute of Research Management and Services, Research and Innovation Management Complex, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
2 Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Saujana Putra Campus, Jenjarum, 42610, Malaysia
3 Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
4 Department of Oral Biology & Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Saujana Putra Campus, Jenjarum, 42610, Malaysia

* Corresponding Author: Fong Fong Liew. Email:

(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Bio-based/Degradable Materials towards A Sustainable Future)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2022, 10(4), 909-938. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2022.018183

Received 06 July 2021; Accepted 08 September 2021; Issue published 02 November 2021

Abstract

With a growing population, changes in consumerism behavior and trends in consumption in Indo-Pacific Asia, our seafood processing and consumption practices produce a large volume of waste products. There are several advantages in regulating and sustaining shellfish processing industries. The major advantage of waste management is that it leads to better conservation of natural resources in the long run. Shrimp shell waste contains useful biomaterials, which are still untapped due to inadequate waste disposal and solid waste management. Chitin, the major component of shell waste, can be extracted either chemically or biologically. The chemical extraction approaches, which use acids and alkali, could be an environmental burden. On the other hand, biological methods can be eco-friendly alternatives for shell waste management. In this review, recent trends in management of shellfish waste as sources of chitin, conversion of chitin into chitosan, economic aspects of waste treatment and application of chitosan will be discussed.

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