Physico-chemical characterization of natural nano calcium extracted from different fish bones in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and snakehead fish (Channa striata)

Amidst a rapidly aging population, osteoporosis, a condition that causes weakened, fragile bones due to deteriorating bone structure, has become a significant public health concern in Indonesia. Prevention strategies focus on increasing calcium-rich food intake. Fish bones, typically discarded as waste, offer a valuable alternative for calcium due to their high content, similar to traditional supplements. However, calcium absorption from fish bone flour is limited, leading to potential deficiencies. Nanotechnology addresses this by reducing calcium particles to nanoscale, significantly improving bioavailability. This research explores the potential of naturally occurring nano-calcium derived from various fish bones. The particle size analysis of fish bone powder (FBP) revealed that all samples were in the nanometer range (393.30 and 744.93 nm). The Fourier Transform Infrared spectra confirmed the presence of amide peaks, such as amide I (1649-1662 cm⁻¹), amide II (1548-1552 cm⁻¹), amide III (1242-1244 cm⁻¹), and phosphate (565–569 and 605 cm⁻¹). The field emission scanning electron microscopy identified FBP as calcite. The Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed that snakehead FBP had the highest CaO content, while the X-Ray Diffraction spectra pattern determined that catfish FBP exhibited the highest crystallinity. The nutritional analysis indicated that catfish FBP contained more ash, lipids, calcium, and phosphorus, while snakehead FBP was richer in protein (53.25 ± 0.94 %). These results suggest that nanotechnology enhances the calcium content in fish bones, transforming what is typically considered waste into a valuable natural source of nano-calcium to address deficiencies and improve bone health.