NUS researchers develop process that turns branches and prawn shells into nutritional supplements and medicine

SINGAPORE: Researchers from the National University of Singapore have found a way to turn the shells of crustaceans, as well as discarded branches, into nutritional supplements and medicine.

“Although reusing waste materials has gained traction in recent years, the typical output of chemicals produced from waste recycling is often less diversified than the conventional chemical synthesis pipeline which uses crude oil or gas. The researchers first applied chemical processes to the waste materials and converted them into a substance that can be “digested” by microbes.

Glucose, which is the most common sugar used in the conventional production method, costs between US$400 to US$600 per tonne while shrimp waste costs only about US$100 per tonne. Although chemical processes are rapid and can utilise a variety of harsh conditions to break down a wide variety of waste materials as no living organisms are involved, it can only produce simple substances.

Moving forward, NUS said the team is looking to adapt their unique process to other forms of waste, such as carbon dioxide and waste paper.

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