(1) PROJECT PROFILE

Project Title:

Chitosan Bioplastics: A demineralized and deacylated alternative plastic for single-use utensils

Name of Project Proposal: Samantha Gabrielle S. Muralla

Region: National Capital Region (NCR) Division: Las Piñas City

School: Las Piñas City National Science High Grade Level: 10

School Contact Number: 09432525864

Project Duration (number of months): 6 months

Email:

samanthagabriellesalubaybamuralla_student@depe

dlaspinas.ph

(2) CATEGORY OF RESEARCH (4) THEME

____✔___ Physical Science ________ Food Safety

___ ___ Life Science ________ Water Conservation

________ Robotics and Intelligent Machines ________ Renewable Energy

________ Mathematics and Computational ________ Cyber Security

Sciences ________ Traffic/Road Congestion

(3) ________ Health

___✔__ Individual ________ Disaster Mitigation

______ Team ___✔___ Agriculture and Environment

____✔___ Others (please specify)

Manufacturing Industry

(5) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (not to exceed 200 words)

 Chitin, one of the main components found in shells is a biomaterial known for its potential in making

biodegradable plastic. This could help the environment and industrial sectors lessen the use of

conventional plastic in disposable utensils and other materials. The researchers will collect discarded

lobster shells from restaurants. It will be demineralized and crushed into small pieces using a blender. This

will go through an extraction unit where it will be deacylated to produce the chitosan powder. The

researchers will create a vinegar-water solution and pour this through a funnel-like apparatus called a

hydro-recycler machine. This will thoroughly liquidize the chitosan powder. The mixture will be

transferred onto utensil molds and placed inside an oven for 1 hour. This product will be removed from

the mold and will now be the sustainable alternative for single-use utensils. The researchers will analyze

the results of the experiment through three tests to determine its tensile strength, water permeability, and

density. This study reduces the number of plastic utensils that take years to decompose and is detrimental

to a person’s health. This introduces bioplastic in the packaging industry so that they’ll have an alternative

ingredient to the plastic products they create today.

(6) INTRODUCTION

(6.1) RATIONALE/SIGNIFICANCE (not to exceed 300 words)

Plastic has become one of the biggest contributors in industrial development, especially in the food

industry and field of manufacture. However, despite its contribution to society, plastic is considered one of

the world’s major pollutants and contributors to environmental degradation. The rapid increase in the

production of petrochemical plastics exceeds the world's capacity to cope, causing plastic pollution, a

widespread problem that adversely affects the Earth’s environment. As new innovations come up with

alternatives to plastics, bioplastic derived from shells of crustaceans is one of the leading methods to

address seafood waste by transforming them into a variety of products such as packaging, containers,

straws, bags, bottles, and more.

 Lobsters, from the Crustacean family, are one of the main delicacies in seafood restaurants. Known

for the hard outer shell it possesses, it harbors a good source of compostable components such as protein,

calcium carbonate, and chitin, the one of the most abundant biopolymers, and a threadlike structure that

forms the exoskeleton of crustaceans.

In order to turn chitin into a practical material, chemical extraction from its source is required.

However, the commercially produced chitosan, is expensive. With the use of machines and methods

proposed by Shellworks (2019), the chitin extracted from crustacean shells will be transformed into

biodegradable bioplastic. This study aims to produce a sustainable alternative to single-use utensils made

from bioplastic. The purpose of the study is to utilize discarded lobster shells and other crustacean shell

wastes to create products that could reduce environmental problems and promote sustainability in the

environment.

(6.2) SCIENTIFIC BASES/THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK/MATHEMATICAL THEORY

INVOLVED

Yearly, around 6 to 8 million tons of seafood shell wastes are produced globally, and 1.5 million tons

of which are derived from Southeast Asia alone (Chen & Yan, 2015). To maximize the potential of these

discarded shells, they can be utilized by being the main material in the production of Bioplastics as a way

of sustaining these renewable resources. Bioplastic, also known as bio-based plastic, is moldable plastic

made from organic biomass sources. It is widely used and is involved in various applications such as for

food, water, medicine, agriculture, and the packaging industry. The developed studies of The University of

Nottingham and Harvard University’s Wyss Institute in the production of chitosan, the man-made

bioplastic derived from chitin, widens the potential of the organic material for many more applications.

From Thomas et al. (2021) their studies showed the presence of cellulose, starch, and chitin in the

manufacturing of natural rubber (NR)-based composites in the production of biofiller. From that, they

discovered that the diminutive size of the filler increased the physical interaction between the matric and
filler, also having the result for the biofillers or NR composites' thermal, mechanical, sorption,

crystallinity, and biodegradability being enhanced. Overall, with on-hand untilization of NR-based

composites containing with cellulose, starch, and chitin examined in certain fields such as food packaging,

medical, water purification, and etc. With this, it can be said that chitin has more to offer in the industrial

sector than are yet to be developed. In this study, having chitin as the main variable, we attempt to seek

the effectiveness of this organic compound by applying demineralization and deacetylation techniques to

create a product that is versatile and is a necessity, especially in the midst of an environmental crisis.

(6.3) OBJECTIVES

General: The study aims to produce durable and sustainable chitosan-based bioplastic utensils from

discarded Lobster Shells with the inclusion of demineralization and deacetylation methods as an eco-

friendly alternative to non-biodegradable utensils.

Specific: The study aims to seek various properties of chitosan-based bioplastic through different tests

targeting its tensile strength, water permeability, and density, to determine its feasibility and effectiveness

as a biodegradable plastic for everyday use.

(7) REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Theoretical background

This research studied the viability of using chitin from Lobster shells as biodegradable plastics.

Moreover, the theoretical background of chitin as well as the techniques for employing chitin as a

biodegradable plastic will be explored.

Crustacean Shells and Biodegradable Plastics

This theory states the applications of Crustacean shells as the main variable to be used in the making
of biodegradable plastics.

The use of Crustacean’s hard outer-shells harbors a good source of Chitosan derived from Chitin that

serves as the main variable in making biodegradable plastics. Crustacean shells consist of protein (30 -

40%), calcium carbonate, (30 - 50%) and chitin, (20 - 30%) although varies depending on the types of

species (Arbia et al., 2013). From Lage et al., (2011) crustaceans with harder shells tend to have higher

mineral content compared to softer shells. With biodegradable products made for disintegration, the

mineral content will be beneficial when recycled into the soil. Biodegradable plastics are designed to

decompose without the risk of environmental harm. When biodegradable materials decompose, they

should fully disintegrate into sustainable organic compounds in a short amount of time. These types of

materials are more advantageous compared to traditional plastics in terms of compositional properties,

though they are more efficient in production. According to the study by Royte, 2006 biodegradable plastic

production consumes “65% lesser energy than producing conventional plastic.” Biodegradable plastics are

more eco-friendly and pose little to no risk for consumers. Biodegradable plastics are non-hazardous and

do not leave toxic compounds when in deterioration.

Chitin and Chitosan Components

This theory discusses different applications of Chitin in the environment and its industrial usage –

mainly in manufacturing plastic products.

Chitosan, derived from chitin, is commonly used for food preservation and the creation of other

sustainable products, reusable or disposable. Chitin and chitosan also provide a wide range of uses in

terms of water and beverage purification and clarification, medicinal and cosmetic applications, as well as

agricultural, culinary, and biotechnological purposes. According to Moore (2019), there are many

potential applications of man-made bioplastic in alternatives such as disposable straws, cutlery, plastic
bags, food packaging as well as 3D printing materials. Since optimal usage of marine biomass resources

has become an environmental concern, recent initiatives to utilize chitin and chitosan have escalated.

Chitosan is widely utilized in a variety of sectors and has significant potential in various applications

because of its outstanding properties such as it being non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible,

biofunctional, its antioxidant qualities, and elongation and strength properties.

Chitin in Lobster Shells

Chitin is the second-most prevalent structural amino polysaccharide in availability. This polymer was

later discovered in insect shells and mollusk exoskeletons, where it was coupled along with minerals and

proteins that hardens the structure through cross-linking with polyphenols (Mati-Baouche et al., 2014).

According to Daraghmeh et al. (2011), the current source of chitin is from the skeletal mantels of

invertebrate animals named shrimp, crab, and lobster whereas where the majority of chitin comes from.

Lobsters, containing a reasonable amount of chitin from their hard shells, serve as a great candidate for the

needed material. Given the 6 to 8 million tons of crustacean shell wastes produced, the use of a type of

species would be beneficial for the environment through recycling. Chitinous compounds such as chitosan

and chitooligosaccharides have been employed in biomedical applications, textile processing, wastewater

treatment, and agricultural applications due to their organic and non-harmful components (Nguyen et al.,

2016).

Using Lobster Shells as Bioplastics

Chitosan is derived from chitin that is extracted from the hard outer shells of lobsters. A study by

Jones et. al (2019) otherwise known as Project Shellworks, came up with the methods of turning the

discarded lobster shell wastes into recyclable bioplastic products. They have invented manufacturing
machines and created 5 stages (Shelly, Sheety, Vaccy, Dippy, and Drippy) of the process of extracting

chitin from lobster shells to create a bioplastic material. The applied processes throughout the study are

through the application of these manufacturing processes.

Recycling Bioplastic Material

Bioplastics consume lesser energy and are composed of non-toxic materials compared to

conventional plastics. Instead of petrochemicals that are commonly used, a biodegradable version,

polymers that are long-chained molecules are used that can be shaped into a multitude of shapes while still

in liquid form. According to Abe (2021), bio-based polymers can be recycled into fertilizers through

chemical recycling. As the materials used are composed primarily of these substances, its product is now

safe for the environment and can be used for other purposes.

Demineralization of Chitin

Chitin is a resourceful material that is both flexible and environmentally beneficial. Sectors in which

it is commonly applied are in the production of paper and pulp, water treatment, biomedical treatment and

devices and cosmetics, biotechnology and membrane technology, and food applications. Hence, making

chitin the most significant source for commercial applications involving crustacean waste. In the study of

Mahmoud et. al (2007), demineralization is a significant process when undergoing the purification process

of chitin derived from crustacean wastes. Demineralization, a conventional technique, incorporates a HCl,

a strong acid, which damages chitin's physiochemical characteristics and produces a toxic effluent

wastewater, and raises the expense of the chitin purification process.

According to Percot et. al (2003), the use of HCI for the chitin-demineralization process has an

adverse influence on the molecular weight and degree of acetylation, which may result in negative effects

on the intrinsic qualities of the purified chitin. As an alternative, organic acids such as lactic and acetic
acids are utilized as an alternative reagent for the demineralization process would pose lesser harm to the

environment, involve lower biomass costing, and would preserve the purified characteristics of chitin.

Deacyletation of Chitin

Chitosan is a biopolymer that has shown potential in inhibiting various properties that enhance the

consistency, viscosity, and solubility of bioplastic material. The degree of deacetylation (DD) is accessible

with a vast number of options in the market. In this proposal, the effectiveness of the degree of

deacetylation used in producing chitin-based utensils is scrutinized.

Usually, a substantial viscosity is displayed in the aqueous solutions of chitosan, even in small-scale

concentrations. The solubility of chitin is vastly affected by its deacetylation degree, and molecular

weight, along with the pH value of the aqueous solutions involved. The degree of deacetylation may be

altered through an extensive alkaline hydrolysis approach. According to Hatstuti and Siswanta (2013),

Chemical hydrolysis as well as an enzymatic treatment are two of the most crucial deacetylation methods,

while either acids or alkalis are used to deacetylate chitin through chemical hydrolysis. However, alkali

deacetylation is being usually used..

According to S.H. Lv (2016), a 55 – 70% deacetylation degree is described as a low deacetylated

degree chitosan, whereas, almost insoluble in water. A 85 - 95% deacetylation degree of chitosan is

defined as a degree in which aids good solubility once water is present.

While for this investigation, 70–85% degree of chitosan deacetylation are applied to ensure that its

structure is not compromised when in contact with water or in this case, soup. As a 95–100%

deacetylation degree of the maximum deacetylation degree of chitosan is difficult to achieve and will

produce a structure that is not suitable for an everyday-use utensil. Moreover, through the degradation
process, decreasing the molecular weight of chitosan may be advantageous in increasing solubility in

water.

(8) METHODOLOGY

I. Procedures

A. Collection of Materials

The resources to be gathered by the researcher is highly accessible and will be obtained through

seafood restaurants. An agreement with the restaurant management to reuse the discarded lobster shells for

research purposes will be requested. Using the basis of Quimno (2016), The main variables to be

manipulated in this study are vinegar, water (distilled and tap), 150 ml Lactic acid, and 15g Sodium

Hydroxide (NaOH), and 9g cellulose must be present. The aqueous solutions will be measured using a 500

ml beaker, while cellulose and Sodium Hydroxide will be weighed through a digital scale. Other materials

such as a blender, 500 ml beaker, laboratory thermometer, two (2) medium-sized pots, mallet, and fork

and spoon molder may be purchased in appliances or kitchenware stores.

B. Investigation Setting

The study is to be conducted in a Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory. The core machines to be utilized like

the extraction unit, hydro-recycler machine, and industrial oven should be prepared in the area beforehand.

C. Pulverizing Lobster Shells and Demineralization

The discarded Lobster Shells will be disinfected using tap water till there is no contamination

present on the material. Before the experiment, they will be parched under the sun's high temperature. The

researcher will initially pound the substantial pieces of lobster shells with the use of a mallet. These will

then be crushed into chitin flakes using a blender. The contents will be continuously pulsed and adjusted

from time to time with a 20 seconds interval. The production of this bioplastic will be using a variation

ratio of 10g chitosan: 150ml lactic acid: 15g NaOH. To omit remaining minerals, the minuscule chips
must be soaked with 150 ml of lactic acid in a medium-sized pot with consistent intensive stirring.

D. Extracting Chitosan powder and Deacetylation

The product will be placed in an extraction unit to produce the chitosan powder. Chitin is often

extracted with the use of acid treatment to break down the calcium carbonate before an alkaline solution

dissolves proteins. Through this medium, the demineralized shells will be filtered and deproteinized

through 15g or 70-85% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 9g of cellulose. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is

used to stimulate deacetylation, while cellulose is used to enhance its plasticity. This will produce the

chitosan which must be sterilized rigorously through deionized (distilled) water until it achieves the target

of ph=7 (neutral).

E. Recycling the. Chitosan Powder

In a hydro-recycler machine, the chitosan powder will be placed in a small container where a liquid

solution composed of 60 ml of water and 100 ml of vinegar will be poured through a funnel-like

apparatus. The chitosan powder will be given three drops of the water-vinegar solution to be thoroughly

liquidized. This bioplastic mixture will be situated in a medium-sized pot over low heat. The solution will

be mixed vigorously and boiled until it reaches 80˚C using a laboratory thermometer.

F. Production of the Bioplastic Utensil

The mixture will be transferred onto the utensil mold and will be monitored for even distribution and

the presence of bubbles. The molder will be dropped on a flat surface repeatedly until trapped air comes

onto the surface. The sample will then be oven-dried at 150˚F for about 1 hour and then settled at room

temperature.

II. Risk and Safety

The Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, and Devices Rules in the INTEL ISEF Rules will be strictly
followed. The following materials and machinery fit in the BSL-2 category.

The study will require compliance to complete the Risk Assessment (Form 3) with the supervision of a

Designated supervisor and/or Qualified Scientist in order to fulfill the rules and usage of approved

hazardous devices for the research.

III. Data Analysis

The data will undergo three different durability tests to determine if the properties of the bioplastic

utensils are efficient and ready to use: (1) tensile strength, (2) water permeability, (3) . These tests will

establish the effectiveness of chitin as an element in producing a sustainable alternative to single-use

utensils.

A. Testing the Tensile Strength with the use of a Universal Testing Machine (UTM)

This will measure how strong the material is (tensile strength) and how stretchy it is (elasticity). The

product will be positioned between two (2) grips or fixtures to clamp the material. Weight will be applied

to one end while the other one is in a fixed placement. As the weight escalates, the output will gradually

increase its length before it shatters. Afterward, the length of the extended sample will be assessed. This

will divulge the relationship between the amount of plasticizer (cellulose) and the tensile strength of the

material.

B. Testing the utensils using Water Permeability

To examine the permeability of the bioplastic, the product will undergo a water uptake. The sample

will be placed in a container filled with distilled water for 30 minutes. The utensils will be removed from

the water after immersion and will be measured for the wet weight. The data gathered from this test will

reveal the relationship between the quantity of chitin and the water permeability of the material. The

following formula will be used to calculate the water uptake:

 Water uptake = [(wet weight-dry weight) / wet weight] x 100%

C. Density

The Density of the bioplastic will be measured using an analytical balance. This test will determine

the relationship between plasticizer (cellulose) content and how it affects the density of bioplastic. The

following formula will be used:

Density = mass/volume (cm³)

(9) EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Expected Outputs

- The researcher will be able to create durable chitin-based bioplastic utensils that will be a viable

alternative to the single-use utensils we use today. If this project proves to be successful, the

bioplastic mixture may also be recycled to create other products mainly in packaging and food-safe

bags with just the appropriate machines and devices. When compositing this material one may use

this as fertilizer for the soil or reuse this for a different purpose.

Potential Impact

- This study widely benefits the environment by including chitosan powder derived from lobster as

our main variable in producing bioplastic material that may save non-renewable sources of energy.

Bioplastic conserves sources of energy like petroleum. This bioplastic significantly emits a

minimal amount of carbon and processes fewer amounts of energy. This will also provide

manufacturing industries with a different alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastic which

may release toxic substances into the air, water, and soils. And since they require less use of fossil

fuels, have a smaller carbon footprint, and faster decomposition, research shows, that they will

cause minimal negative direct health problems to humans or land and aquatic animals.

(10) WORK PLAN AND TARGET DELIVERABLES

Objectives Target Activities Deliverables Timeframe

 Collection of Requesting permission from
seafood restaurants within the
Materials National Capital Region (NCR)
to obtain the discarded Lobster
Shells
The discarded 1st- 2nd week of July
Lobster Shells will be
obtained and the
materials, variables,
and other necessary
equipment will be
gathered and prepared
in the facility prior to
the experiment

Purchasing the necessary 3rd-4th week of July

variables such as vinegar, water,
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl),
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH),
and Starch, as well as the
equipment to be used like
Mallet, Beaker, Digital Scale,
Two (2) medium-sized pots,
Three (3) fork, and spoon
molder from Chemical
Manufacturers, Hardware stores,
Supermarkets, Pharmacies,
Kitchenware shops, Las Pinas
City National Science High
School (LPsci) Laboratory

Pulverizing The researcher will initially The demineralized 1st week of August
pound the substantial pieces of and deacylated
Lobster Shells and lobster shells with the use of a Chitosan Powder will
mallet. These will then be be produced to be
Demineralization crushed into chitin flakes using utilized in the next
a blender. To omit remaining stages
minerals, the minuscule chips
must be soaked with a 150 ml of
hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a
medium-sized pot with
consistent intensive stirring.

The product will be placed in an

extraction unit to produce the
Extracting chitosan powder. Through this
medium, the demineralized
Chitosan Powder shells will be filtered and
deproteinized through 15g of
and Deacetylation sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and
9g of cellulose..
 Recycling and Liquidize the Chitosan Powder The Chitosan Powder September-October
through a Vinegar-Water will become a
Production of Solution using a Hydro- Bioplastic mixture
Recycler Machine and Stirring and after oven-drying
Bioplastic Utensil the mixture in a medium-sized will become the
pot until it reaches a boil effective and
sustainable Chitin-
based Utensils

Transferring the Bioplastic

mixture onto three molds and
oven-drying the samples to
produce utensils
1st- 2nd week of
Data Analysis Testing the Tensile Strength of The effectiveness of November
Chitin-based Bioplastic through Chitin-based utensils
of a Universal Testing Machine as an alternative to
(UTM) single-use utensils
will be determined.
3rd week of
Testing the Water Permeability November
of Chitin-based Bioplastic
through a given formula
4th week of
Testing the Density of Chitin- November
based Bioplastic through a given
formula

Updating the In Las Pinas City National The remaining 1st week of
Science High School (LPsci) the information in the December
Research Proposal researcher will provide the research proposal will
summary, interpret the findings, be successfully and
Write-up draw conclusions, and list diligently
recommendations to be included accomplished
in the Research Plan

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