ItalyThe article discusses a new technological method developed by researchers from ENEA and the University of Calabria to extract high-quality chitin from the waste produced by the processing of the invasive blue crab (Portunus pelagicus). This species, considered harmful to coastal ecosystems, generates large amounts of waste, up to 85% of its weight, which is often discarded or burned, causing environmental and economic issues. The study, published in the journal 'International Journal of Biological Macromolecules', describes a process that uses thermal treatment to remove minerals from crab shells, making chitin extraction more sustainable and efficient. Chitin, a valuable biopolymer second only to cellulose in natural abundance, has applications in agriculture, medicine, and other industries. The research highlights the potential to transform this ecological threat into an economic opportunity through circular economy principles.
Bias read (Center): While the article addresses an environmental issue with political implications due to the impact on fisheries and ecosystems, it presents the scientific findings and their potential benefits objectively. It does not take a clear ideological stance on the management of invasive species or the role of
