Marine sources in BlueCC

A key innovation of BlueCC is the utilization of invasive marine species as untapped resources for the production of biobased materials with the potential for healthcare application.

Sources of collagen

The follwing species are high in collagen and could be promising new collagen sources, provided their effects and uses are demonstrated. A win-win situation would be created by using these species as chitin/chitosan sources and at the same time mitigate species disturbing our ecosystems.

• Jellyfish and starfish

Increased landings of jellyfish (e.g. Pelagia noctaluca, Rhizostoma pulmo) and starfish (e.g. Asterias rubens) has been observed in Europe due to their cyclic and invasive occurrence along with the new landing obligation.

 

• Cleaner fish (lump fish and wrasse)
  

  Cyclopterus lumpus. Photo: Terje Aamodt © Nofima

In salmon farming areas in Norway the use of cleaner fish (lump fish and wrasse) is growing, with 50 million farmed cleaner fish in 2018 alone. The cleaner fish are in introduced into salmon farms to reduce the parasite burden. Technology to remove the cleaner fish alive from the pens is now in place, but it currently has little use in the market.

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Sources of chitin

Invasive crustaceans have been reported in Europe. Some of them devastate the local ecosystems. Species we are working on in BlueCC include:

• Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

• King grab (Paralithodes camtschaticus)

• Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio)

• Grey shrimp (Crangon crangon)