Shrimps consumption
Shrimps consumption has considerably increased worldwide. With higher consumption, there is an increased amount of leftover heads and shells that are generated. It is a well-known fact that shrimp meat makes up only 50% of the shrimp while the shells, heads, and tails make the other 50% and are discarded. With an increased consumption and processing of shrimps comes the problem of managing waste. India alone generates 150,000 tons of shrimp heads and shells per annum.
Chitosan originated from shrimp cells and is biocompatible and biodegradable as well as nontoxic, unlike other chemical products. Furthermore, the easy availability of shrimps reduces the manufacturing cost of Chitosan thus, making it widely available and will enhance the market growth.
Shrimp heads and shells can generate valuable products, mainly bioactive compounds like chitin, chitosan, glucosamine, astaxanthin, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.
These bioactive compounds have a wide range of applications which broadly include
– Pharmaceuticals / Medical Therapies – Energy & Environmental Application
– Health Care /Nutraceutical Products – Food & Beverages
– Biotechnology / Tissue Engineering – Cosmetics & Toiletries
– Agriculture Fertilizer – Paper pulp
– Textile – Bio Plastics
Shrimp heads and shells contain protein, chitin, and minerals. Removing protein and minerals gives us Chitin. Chitin is a raw material for chitosan and glucosamine hydrochloride. Chitosan can be used to make bioplastic materials for plastic packaging and bags. Bio degradable plastic which can be made from chitosan does not simply replace the carbon source for the polymer but it actually replaces the carbon-based plastic polymer and is totally biodegradable and sustainable material.
The latest discovery of biodegradable plastic by researchers at Harvard University proves that shrimp waste can replace the toxic plastic, which is choking the planet. Biodegradable plastic will be in demand in the very near future and has great potential.
What is Chitin
Heads and shells lefotver after processing shrimps contain protein, chitin, and minerals. Removing protein and minerals gives us Chitin. Chitin is the world’s second most abundant natural biopolymer, after cellulose. Chitin is extracted from shrimp shells & heads or crab shells through a series of deproteinization and demineralization processes to remove minerals and proteins. It is also the most abundant naturally occurring polysaccharide that contains amino sugars. Chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine and is a derivative of glucose. Chitin has a structure similar to that of polysaccharide, cellulose and forms crystalline nanofibrils or whiskers. Chitin is a base structural polymer found on the outer covering of crustacean exoskeletons, cells, bacteria and insects.Chitin is a raw material mainly for Chitosan and Glucosamine hydrochloride.
It is also a biopolymer that can be an environment-friendly solution for single-use plastics. There is a huge demand for Chitin as various other products such as Chitosan, Glucosamine, etc are derived from Chitin. It is one of the most widely used organic materials on the planet. Chitin can be used as a food supplement after being transformed into Chitosan and subsequently Glucosamine. Chitin is a biodegradable molecule that dissolves over time, it is used in a number of industrial applications, such as surgical thread and binders for dyes, glues, etc. Chitin derivatives have been shown to have antioxidant properties. By binding to free radicals, Chitin’s byproducts can reduce oxidative stress in organisms protecting against cell injury. Chitin can bind to lipid cholesterol, lowering blood cholesterol levels.
About us
A Specialized Chitin Manufacturer & Supplier
We have experience in the business of fish scales and de-minersilsed fish scales which are mainly used for manufacturing fish collagen peptide,. We now continue our journey on functional ingredients from natural sources by further focussing on shrimp shells and heads.
We have ventured into shrimp lefotver management and specialize in Chitin manufacturing with operations in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India.
We provide a consistent supply of pure and clean high-quality with high-grade Chitin derived from shrimp shells and heads to Chitosan and Glucoasmine manufacturers as raw-material intermediates for their advanced R&D and commercial biomedical, pharma, and industrial applications which incorporates Chitosan and Glucoasomine for other bioactive compounds.
These bioactive compounds have a wide range of applications which broadly include
– Pharmaceuticals / Medical Therapies
– Energy & Environmental Application (Hemostatic wound dressing, Anticancer drug delivery, Nano delivery system, (BioPlastics, Water & Waste Treatment, Air Purification, Oral, Ophthalmic, Vaginal, Nasal, Colon, Gastro-intestinal, Transdermal) Super Capacitor Energy saver device, Bio Sensor, EMI Shielding)
– Health Care Products (Nutraceutical, Slimming fat bind, bone healthalth,
– Food & Beverages (Preservative, Winemaking,
– Biotechnology / Tissue Engineering
– Cosmetics & Toiletries (Moistureriser, Skincare)
– Agriculture Fertilizer
– Paper pulp
– Textile (Odour free & Antibacterial, Anti-wrinkle, Dyeing, Antistatic)