V2I3P5

Upcycling Fish Waste into Biopolymers Reducing Climate Change Effects through Sustainable Innovation: A Review

Gagan Singh Guru^1*,Chiranjeev Pandey¹, Sanjay Thiske¹, Majid Ali¹

Abstract

The increasing environmental concerns over plastic pollution have driven the search for sustainable alternatives, with biopolymers emerging as a promising solution. Biopolymers, derived from renewable resources, offer biodegradability and non-toxicity, making them environmentally friendly substitutes for conventional plastics. Among various sources of biopolymers, fish waste such as skin, scales, bones, and other by-products from the fishing industry has gained attention as an underutilized resource for biopolymer production. Fish waste is rich in valuable compounds like collagen, chitin, keratin, and gelatin, which can be processed into high-value biopolymers with applications in industries such as medicine, agriculture, food packaging, and cosmetics. This review explores the potential of local fish waste as a source of biopolymers, focusing on the extraction methods, properties, and applications of biopolymers derived from fish waste. It also discusses the environmental and economic benefits, such as waste valorization and reduction in plastic pollution, along with the challenges in scaling up production and commercialization. Ultimately, the review highlights the significant promise of fish waste-derived biopolymers in contributing to sustainable material development and advancing the circular economy.

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Keywords:

Biopolymers; Biodegradability; Commercialization; Conventional; Environmental; Economy.