Protein from fish scales
a powder with a distinctly 'fish-like' flavour could be soon available in the stores of West Bengal. Scientists from Calcutta University have developed a protein powder from fish scales, which are usually thrown away. The powder can prove to be a cheap, nutritional food supplement, the scientists claim.
They developed the product after three years of research. While conducting a series of experiments, they found that the protein is one of the main constituents of the scales. Thereafter, they evolved a process to synthesise it. Scales of the rohu and katla fish were used to produce the powder. The method involves mixing the scales with nutrients and edible bacteria, which act as the synthesising catalyst. A steam process is used to separate the protein from the scales.
During trials, it was found that the powder has enough protein to meet the daily nutritional requirements of the human body. The West Bengal government is now trying to convince entrepreneurs to produce the protein.
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