Biodiesel production from shrimp shell lipids: Evaluating ZnO nanoparticles as a catalyst

• Shrimp shell waste is a rich, untapped resource for biodiesel production. • Scaling lipid extraction is vital for industrial biodiesel production. • ZnO nanoparticles boost biodiesel yield from 80 % to 95 %, lowering costs by 15–20 %. • Challenges like lipid variability and ZnO durability require further research for large-scale use. This work examines shrimp shell waste as a promising raw material for biodiesel production. Prawn shells, comprising 30–40 % protein, 20–30 % chitin, and 20–30 % calcium carbonate, also contain lipids that can be efficiently converted into biodiesel, with solvent extraction yielding 90 % of lipids. The use of ZnO nanoparticles as a catalyst boosts biodiesel production from 80 % to 95 %, increasing catalytic activity by 20 %. Recent advancements in ZnO synthesis have reduced production costs by 15–20 %, making ZnO an attractive catalyst due to its reusability and stability over multiple cycles. Additionally, converting chitin from shrimp shells into chitosan has economic potential, reducing waste by 50,000 tons annually and generating $10–15 million in revenue. However, challenges remain, including the scalability of lipid extraction and the durability of ZnO nanoparticles, which can decline by 10–15 % over time. Further research is required to enhance ZnO stability and improve large-scale lipid extraction methods. This work underscores biodiesel's environmental and economic benefits, supporting global sustainability efforts through waste reduction and renewable energy expansion.