Industrial Shrimp Shell Waste Valorisation Through Chitosan-Based Bioplastic Film Development

Abstract

The rapid expansion of shrimp aquaculture has resulted in a significant increase in shrimp shell waste, which poses environmental challenges due to improper disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration. This study addresses the problem of waste management by converting shrimp shell waste into bioplastic films as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The main objective was to extract chitosan from shrimp shells obtained from CPF Semporna Farm, Sabah, and to evaluate the properties of chitosan-based bioplastic films, focusing on moisture content and tensile strength. Shrimp shells were cleaned, dried, ground, and subjected to deproteinization, demineralization, and deacetylation to obtain chitosan, which was then used to prepare films containing 0%, 2%, and 4% chitosan with glycerol as a plasticizer. Mechanical and moisture analyses were conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The films produced were transparent, flexible, and smooth, with tensile strengths ranging from 1.11 to 2.42 MPa and elongation at break values up to 104.3%. Moisture contents were relatively high (16–25%), indicating water plasticization that enhanced flexibility but reduced strength. The findings suggest that while the mechanical performance of the films is lower than reported in literature, they show promising potential for flexible applications such as biodegradable food packaging. Further optimization of chitosan content, plasticizer levels, and processing conditions is recommended to enhance mechanical strength and water resistance. Overall, this research demonstrates the feasibility of converting shrimp shell waste into value-added, eco-friendly bioplastic materials.