SIMPLE EXTRACTION OF THE HYDROXY-APATITE FROM THE EGYPTIAN NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICAS) FISH SCALES

Abstract

This study aims to recycle the fish scales to extract the hydroxyl-apatite (HApT) compound via a simple and fast chemical treatment of the Egyptian Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticas) fish scales. The method depends on both the NaOH and/or the HCl solutions to dissolve the fish scales then precipitate the HApT 30-32% of the start. The product was characterized by the elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-rays Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDX), and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The results of the FTIR and XRD have revealed the main peaks of an amorphous/crystalline mixed HApT phase that was almost thermally stable after elimination of the entrapped water of preparation and/or the residual organic portion. The particles have exhibited soft homogeneous morphology rather than specifically shaped particles with a 2.25 Ca/P ratio as indicated by the results of the SEM and EDX analysis. The particle size distribution (PSD) analysis has indicated a range of particle size ~250 – 2500 nm with 50% of sample volume < 1 μm. It can be concluded from the results that the studied method is an efficient and economic approach for the HApT extraction as well as the fish scales recycling.