Discarded oyster shells yield valuable extract: study

The research institute found that one kilogram of oyster shells priced at NT$2 each can yield the same weight in pearl layer peptide valued at over NT$100,000.

The burned powder extracted from the oyster shells can also act as a natural antibacterial agent that can be used to wash fruits, vegetables, dishes and utensils. When mixed with wall paint, the powder also proved to help reduce indoor fungi.

According to Huang Pei-an of the Fisheries Research Institute, 160,000 tons of oyster shells are abandoned each year along the southwest coast. Through five years of research, the fisheries institute has turned the previous mountains of waste into a new source of revenue, overcoming temperature variances and slowly increasing pearl layer peptide extraction volume.

Pearl layer peptide has been proven to prevent the injury of keratinocyte cells from exposure to UV radiation, making it a popular constituent in beauty products. The antibacterial properties of the burned oyster shell powder can also help extend the shelf-life of fish and vegetables. Incorporating the powder into air conditioning filters can help prevent mold. The latest Fisheries Research Institute has opened a whole door of possibilities for the previously discarded oyster shell.

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