Local Crab shell alternative

[pug1010]

Hi all:)

 

I have been wary of North American marine products for some time - both east and west sides. Also, the environmental cost of posting crustacean shell to Australia is quite high. For an easier and possibly superior alternative to crab shell (both as a liming and chitin source), I would suggest using cuttlefish bones or cuttlebones.

 

The primary component is aragonite (basically calcium carbonate) and the exoskeletal is made up of chitin. I've attached a study where they found the chitin and later chitosan production to be higher than crab shell.

 

If you live nearby a clean beach ... just pick up some of the washed ashore cuttlebones and put them in a blender - about 6-8 medium size ones will make a cup of flour. If you just want the aragonite ... use the back of a teaspoon and scrape off the soft side ... it's quite relaxing.

 

Hope this helps

 

 

Cuttlebone_Chitin-Chitosan.pdf

[GREENQUEEN]

Very interesting, thanks pug

 

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[itchybromusic]

cool stuff mate 

nice find , i'll have a read of that 

 

was just looking at the OMRI down to earth crab shell on amazon 5lb for $12.88usd

 

ps the enzyme chitinase can be obtained from the regular use of malted barley powder  

Edited June 24, 2017 by itchybromusic

[cardrona]

Thank you

[pug1010]

I really like the smell of MBP, especially when mixed with neem meal.

 

not to everyone's taste though ... 

 

reckon powdered cuttlefish bone should work well in the worm bin too.

[itchybromusic]

I really like the smell of MBP, especially when mixed with neem meal.

 

not to everyone's taste though ... 

 

reckon powdered cuttlefish bone should work well in the worm bin too.

yeah that seems to come down to alpha or beta chitin in the worm bin , ones not so good 

 

from memory it's alpha chitin is hard shell like crab , worms or there lill hairs that stick out are beta chitin much softer

please check that for ya self cos i might have got that ass about  

[pug1010]

thanks itchybromusic ... will do. 

[Thirstyman88]

Can get cuttlefish for birds at Coles/woolies for like $1. Would they have still have the goods?

[AussieBogan]

Crab shell do the same thing as oyster shell?

 

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[itchybromusic]

Crab shell do the same thing as oyster shell?

 

Posted from the OZ Stoners mobile app

yes they both work as liming agents

&

no , oyster shell has no chitin