ISSN 2756-3855
International Journal of Urology and Nephrology ISSN 2756-3855 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-006 January, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
From waste to value: Investigating a potential multi-functional pharmaceutical excipient from crab shells
Emmanuel O. Olorunsola1*, Olubunmi J. Olayemi2, Stephen O. Majekodunmi1 and Unyime B. Etukudo1
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Received 25 June, 2023; Accepted 30 September, 2023
Abstract
An efficient and beneficial waste disposal mechanism is highly desired. This study was carried out to extract and characterize a potential multifunctional pharmaceutical excipient from crab shell wastes. Shells of Pachygrapsus mamoratus were obtained from Oron, a coastal town in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Chitin was extracted from the powdered shell by deproteination and demineralization; and chitosan was derived by alkaline deacetylation of the chitin. The polymer was subjected to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was also evaluated for flow properties, pH and hydration and swelling characteristics. The shells gave a yield of 17% chitosan. FTIR analysis of the polymer showed C-H bond of substituted cyclic hydrocarbon, cyclic C-N bond, C-O bond of glucose molecules, C-H bond of side chain –CH2OH, presence of β-ester linkage, N-H of amides and bonded and free O-H groups. The last transition in the thermogram of chitosan was a polymer degradation exotherm with a peak at 337.9°C. The chitosan had higher bulk density, higher flow rate, lower Carr’s index and lower Hausner’s ratio compared to sodium carboxymethylcellulose. It also had lower hydration and swelling capacities. Therefore, the crab shell-derived chitosan has better thermal stability, better flow properties but poorer swelling properties compared to sodium carboxymethylcelluose.
Keywords: Crab shell, chitosan, physicochemical characteristics, pharmaceutical excipient.