The same prawn shell polymer that acts as a base agent in a new all-natural sunscreen being developed by Swedish and Spanish scientists is also being used by researchers in the United Kingdom to make a different cosmetic item – shampoo.
Chitosan, which is made by treating shrimp and prawn shells with alkali sodium hydroxide, can give hair volume and moisture and therein reduce split ends, according to researchers from Glyndŵr University in North Wales. Such a polymer offers a natural alternative to the synthetic strains used in conventional shampoo, and is thought to be more environmentally friendly.
“The prawn shells would normally be disposed of as waste so, ultimately, the aim of the project is to make the production of personal and home care products greener,” explained Pete Williams, professor of polymer and colloid chemistry at Glyndwr University, to Wales Online.
The chitosan discovery has been two years in the making and is attributed to an eco-friendly project that has also produced new, environmentally sound ways to prevent insects from destroying crops. As of now, researchers are developing “a method of modifying [chitosan] to give it enhanced properties” in personal and home care formulas, reported Williams to Wales Online.
The discarded prawn shells being utilized by the Wales researchers come from Seagarden, a natural seafood ingredients manufacturer out of Norway. Meanwhile, chemical company Croda may begin mass producing chitosan to be used for the shampoo and any further product endeavors suited for the polymer.
