Production and characterization of biofilm from seaweed-extracted pectin reinforced with chitosan extracted from shrimps

Abdoulie G.B. Baldeh, Saffie Bah, Ndey Saffie Jatta, Mamudou Jallow and Lamin BS Dibba

Department of Physical and Natural Sciences, University of the Gambia, Faraba, The Gambia

INTRODUCTION

 Seaweeds are common marine organisms often found along ocean

shores, with recent excessive accumulation observed along The

Gambia’s coastline.

 The seaweed bloom most special in Gunjur, The Gambia is

reportedly linked to the operations of a local fishmeal plant.

 This bloom negatively impacts marine life, damages fishing nets, and threatens tourism by affecting beach area.

 The situation has provoked public protests involving youth, activists,

village elders, and criticisms of the government's role.

 This study aims to utilize the seaweed by extracting pectin from it and combining it with shrimp-derived chitosan to create a biofilm for potential use in food packaging

CONCLUSION

 The biofilms produced were biodegradable and excellent antimicrobial properties against pathogenic E. coli.

 This study shows that useful natural product like pectin can obtained from the seaweed bloom in the Gambia with application in food packaging. Hence providing solution for seaweed pollution and synthetic plastic

REFERENCE

John, D. M., Tittley, I., Lawson, G. W. and Pugh, P. J. A. (1994). Distribution of Seaweed Floras in the Southern Ocean. Botanica Marina, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 235- 240. https://doi.org/10.1515/botm.1994.37.3.235

Demir, D., Ceylan, S., Göktürk, D., and Bölgen, N. (2021). Extraction of pectin from albedo of lemon peels for preparation of tissue engineering

scaffolds. Polymer Bulletin, 78(4), 2211–2226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-020-03208-1

Manneh, M.(2022). Seaweed blooms caused by fishmeal

plants hurt Gambian coastal communities. Dialogue

Earth. https://dialogue.earth/en/ocean/seaweed-

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