STEM

Utilizing Fish-Scale Derived Chitosan Extract for Biodegradable Packaging

Karen Mae B. Panti, Francis Angelo R. Gesmundo, Chloe Vargas and Mike C. Vasquez

Senior High School Department, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Catanduanes National High School, Virac, Catanduanes

Plastic pollution remains a major environmental issue, and this has driven the search for eco-friendly packaging materials. In this study, the possibility of utilizing chitosan derived from fish scales as a biodegradable packaging material is explored. Fish scales were collected and processed to yield purified chitosan, which was characterized and used to prepare thin films. The purified chitosan was of high purity and well-deacetylated and hence suitable for film formation. Chitosan films were mechanically stable and were of good biodegradability, breaking down considerably in soil burial tests. The result indicates that fish scale-derived chitosan is a good, eco-friendly option for biodegradable packaging, providing a good solution for reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability. 

Keywords—biodegradable packaging, chitosan extraction, fish scale-derived, mechanical properties, biodegradability, plastic waste reduction.

Download File