SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
Act Responsibly: Sustainable Choices For A Better Tomorrow
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Chitosan-Based Biodegradable Films from the Shell Waste of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) and Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) as an Alternative to Conventional Packaging for Aquaculture Products
Chitosan-Based Biodegradable Films from the Shell Waste of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) and Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) as an Alternative to Conventional Packaging for Aquaculture Products
Ivane R. Pedrosa-Gerasmio; Ahmida I. Lininding; Nonehar C. Sedic
Description of the Study:
In line with the university’s dedication to sustainable innovation, a recent study entitled "Chitosan-Based Biodegradable Films from the Shell Waste of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) and Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) as an Alternative to Conventional Packaging for Aquaculture Products" presents an eco-friendly approach to addressing both plastic pollution and seafood waste. The research successfully extracted chitosan, a natural biopolymer from shrimp and crab shells through demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation, and used it to develop biodegradable films using glycerol and sorbitol as plasticizers. These films yielded promising results in terms of film formation, water solubility, biodegradability, and overall quality, making them suitable for short-term packaging use. Characterization tests, including FTIR spectroscopy, confirmed the presence of functional groups typical of chitosan, while SEM imaging revealed smooth and uniform film surfaces which both indicates successful film formation.
Significance/Impact of the Study:
As the aquaculture sector continues to expand its reach globally, the demand for responsible and eco-friendly practices also becomes apparent. Conventional packaging materials such as polyethylene used for packing seafood products contribute significantly to environmental degradation. The consistent use of this material and other forms of plastic is a problem due to various factors, including their use, disposal, and environmental impact. Moreover, the aquaculture industry even contributes to the amount of seafood waste generated from processing the seafood products. With the use of chitosan, a natural biopolymer extracted from crustacean shells, it can address critical challenges faced by the industry and offers a compelling solution due to its biodegradability, abundance in shell waste, and diverse applications in film formation.
SDGs
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
This study promotes the valorization of aquaculture waste (shells) into biodegradable packaging, which reduces waste and promotes circular economy principles.
Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
Replacing plastic packaging with biodegradable alternatives reduces marine plastic pollution.
Target 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
SDG 13 – Climate Action
Biodegradable materials generally have a lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics derived from fossil fuels.
Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The development of sustainable biomaterials contributes to innovation in packaging and industrial practices.
Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
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