Spain. A new generation of biocides produced from shells and residues of crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs was developed by the research group in Carbohydrate Chemistry and Food Biotechnology of the University of Murcia, Spain, in conjunction with the University of Goias, Brazil.The principal investigator of this scientific group in Spain, Pedro Antonio García, told Europa Press that there is currently a problem of disposal of certain waste, for example the coatings of prawns (edible crustaceans similar to shrimp but smaller in size) that are not recyclable and represent "a serious problem of environmental pollution".
The researchers took advantage of the antibacterial capacity and zero toxicity that these residues have to prevent the growth of microorganisms in varnishes and coatings of operating rooms, as well as to inhibit the development of bacteria in different foods.
