A Unique Crustacean-Based Chitin Platform to Reduce Self-Aggregation of Polysaccharide Nanofibers

Abstract

Every year, over 8 million tons of crustacean shells are discarded. However, there exists an opportunity for valorizing the chitin and calcium carbonate part of the composition of the shells. Our study revealed crustacean chitin reduces self-aggregation effects. It was shown that crustacean-based nanofibers alone or added to cellulose offer unprecedented reductions in viscosity even after drying to produce foams impossible for cellulose. Polysaccharide nanofibers suffer from increased viscosity from strong hydrogen bonding addressed by the incorporation of crustacean-based nanofibers. The ability of the nanocomposite to overcome self-aggregation and collapse was attributed to organized chitin nanofiber morphology in the crustacean matrix. As a result of enhanced surface area from reduced fiber aggregation, the chitin/crustacean-cellulose blend was tested for a biomedical application requiring a high surface area: coagulation. Preliminary experiments showed the crustacean matrices, especially those containing calcium carbonate, induced blood clotting when 35 s. A materials platform is proposed for bio-based nanofiber production overcoming intractable and difficult-to-address self-aggregation effects associated with polysaccharides.

Degradable Green Polymers, Green Nanopolymers and Green Nanocomposites Derived from Natural Systems: Statistics and Headways

“…Later, nanochitin has been obtained from other natural sources such as crustaceans, arthropods, molluscs, fungi and algae. The nanochitin has been obtained using various methods such as mechanical breakdown, acid hydrolysis, oxidation and electrospinning [74]. The nanochitin consists of nanofibre of ~2-5 nm diameter and ~300 nm in length [75].…”

Degradable Green Polymers, Green Nanopolymers and Green Nanocomposites Derived from Natural Systems: Statistics and Headways

“…Later, nanochitin has been obtained from other natural sources such as crustaceans, arthropods, molluscs, fungi and algae. The nanochitin has been obtained using various methods such as mechanical breakdown, acid hydrolysis, oxidation and electrospinning [74]. The nanochitin consists of nanofibre of ~2-5 nm diameter and ~300 nm in length [75].…”