Budding Scientists
Chitosan as preservative
Visitors watching demo of the science project: "Chitosan as preservative and fertiliser" at a science fair
A team of students from Rajuk Uttara Model College under the guidance of their teacher carried out experiment on Chitosan to see if it can be used as a low cost, environment-friendly preservative and fertilizer. Their initial attempt proved to be a success. Chitosan is a derivative of Chitin, a nitrogenous polysaccharide related chemically to cellulose. It is a principal constituent of the outer covering of crustaceans like shrimps, crabs, mollusks, etc. Chitosan is produced commercially through deacetylation of Chitin. Motivated by a desire to free the fish, fruit and vegetables we consume everyday from harmful chemicals used as preservatives by traders, Rafiqul Islam, along with his year mate Tasneem Ferdous, tried to find a safer alternative. Their research project styled ''Chitosan as preservative and fertilizer" drew a lot of attention and appreciation at last year's science fairs held in their own college as well as at BAF Shaheen College. Prof. Dr Narul Abser from chemistry Dept of JU and two other professors from physics and biology Dept of DU adjudged their project as the best one. Bangladesh University of engineering technology (BUET) teachers adjudicated at the BAF Shaheen College science fair.
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