Sustainable Bioplastic Development from Shellfish Waste of Crab (Callinectes pallidus) and Periwinkle (Thais coronata) for Circular Applications in the Blue Economy
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Shellfish waste from fisheries remains an underutilised yet valuable resource for advancing circular material innovation, particularly within the blue economy. This study presents the synthesis, characterisation, and theoretical evaluation of chitosan derived from the shells of crab (Callinectes pallidus) and periwinkle (Thais coronata) for bioplastic production. Chitosan was extracted using conventional deproteinization, demineralisation, and deacetylation techniques, then blended with starch and glycerol to produce biodegradable polymer films moulded for bioplastic product. Experimental characterisation using FTIR, SEM, EDS, and XRD confirmed the successful isolation and chemical integrity of chitosan. The chitosan from periwinkle showed increased levels of carbon and oxygen, indicating its improved yield and performance. Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level provided molecular insights on a two-unit chitosan model, revealing a HOMO-LUMO energy gap of -0.251 eV, indicating significant kinetic stability. The electrostatic potential (ESP) map showed electron-rich regions at -OH and -NH2 groups, aligning with the experimentally observed adsorption potential. Additional quantum chemical descriptors, such as electrophilicity index, softness, and dipole moment, supported the high reactivity and structural flexibility of chitosan for polymer interaction. Theoretical FTIR vibrational analysis validated the chemical structure. The bioplastic product derived from periwinkle exhibited improved shape and elemental distribution, confirming its suitability for scalable biopolymer production. The combination of experimental results and computational modelling highlights the potential of marine-derived chitosan as an economical and sustainable alternative to petrochemical plastics, reducing carbon emissions and non-biodegradable waste.