A Process for Reducing the Urea Level in Shark Fins

Abstract

A process for reducing the urea level in shark fins with excellent rehydrating qualities, characterized in the shark fins due to soaking in water for 24 hours, cleaning the dirt and extraneous matter by a gentle scrubbing and then immersing in 0.5% aqueous sodium hydroxide in 1: 1 ratio for 30 minutes, maintaining the temperature at 80°C, thereafter treated with 5% acetic acid for one hour in 1:1 ratio, subsequently removing the softened tissue and skin by a brush , again washing the skinned fins, then subjecting to bleach with 2% hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes, washing the adhering bleach and finally dipping in a solution in 1:1 ratio containing 3% sorbitol and 5% sodium chloride for a period of 24 hours, finally drying the processed fins under sun or using mechanical dryer at a temperature of 45°C± 2 over wooden bamboo mats with occasional turning to fins with excellent rehydrating properties.