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Removal of Organic Materials from Mytilus Shells and Their Morphological and Chemical-Physical Characterisation

TitleRemoval of Organic Materials from Mytilus Shells and Their Morphological and Chemical-Physical Characterisation
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsUbaldini, A., Cicconi F., Calistri S., Salvi S., Telloli C., Marghella Giuseppe, Gessi Alessandro, Bruni Stefania, Falsini N., and Rizzo Antonella
JournalCrystals
Volume14
ISSN20734352
Abstract

A simple and effective method to eliminate the organic component from mussel shells is presented. It is based on the use of hot hydrogen peroxide. Mollusc shells are composite materials made of a calcium carbonate matrix with different polymorphs and numerous biomacromolecules. The described method was used on mussel shells, but it is generalisable and allows the complete removal of these organic components, without altering the inorganic part. Specimens were kept in a H2O2 40% bath for few hours at 70 °C. The organic layers found on the faces of the shells were peeled away in this way, and biomacromolecules were degraded and removed. Their fragments are soluble in aqueous solution. This easily permits the chemical-physical characterisation and the study of the microstructure. The quality of calcite and aragonite microcrystals of biogenic origin is very high, superior to that of materials of geological or synthetic origin. This may suggest various industrial applications for them. Calcium carbonate is a useful precursor for cements and other building materials, and the one obtained in this way is of excellent quality and high purity. © 2024 by the authors.

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URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85194168175&doi=10.3390%2fcryst14050464&partnerID=40&md5=1f26c01fe4b7098c71784af5716065fd
DOI10.3390/cryst14050464
Citation KeyUbaldini2024