Crab Shell Bandage

New bandage made from crab shells could help wounds heal faster.

16:48 26 January 2016

A team of scientists at the University of Bolton has spent 10 years developing a high-tech alchite dressing that could help wounds heal faster. The product, which scientists believed to be worth £250million a year, is made from chitosan, a mineral found in crustacean shells, which kills bacteria and speeds up healing.

 

In ancient China, crabs were smashed open and thrust into wounds to stop them from going septic.

 

Prof Mohsen Miraftab, who led the team to this discovery, said: “Alchite is a composite fibre, combining alginate, which is drawn from algae, and chitosan, found in crustacean shells.

 

"Alginate and chitosan both have a history of being used in medicine. Chitosan is naturally antimicrobial and accelerates wound healing activity, so it does heal and kill bacteria.”