In Canada, Dr. Don-Roger Parkinson is looking for additional investors and collaborators for a research project to use the chitin molecules from Newfoundland’s pesky green crabs for biomaterial products and biochemicals. The green crabs don’t have natural predators in Newfoundland and wreak havoc on the fishing communities because they take over lobster, snow crab and other fish habitats.
Parkinson’s research is looking at chitin as a biomaterial for metal extraction applications which would be useful for removing heavy metals from contaminated waters, and possibly a replacement for activated carbon in water purifiers. This less expensive water treatment option could be particularly helpful for third world countries that have water quality issues.