The Extraction of Pearl Essence from Different Types of Fishes

Abstract

Pearl essence is extracted from fish scales. Guanine is an iridescent substance that is found in the epidermal layer and scales. In its crystalline form guanine reflects and refracts light and thus acts as a camouflage to fish. The suspension of guanine in a solvent is called “essence of pearls”. It was formerly used in cosmetics and paints. Guanine is lustrous material found in the epidermal layer and scales of most fishes like oil Sardine Mackerel, Herring and various carps bleak, ribbon fish etc. In United States herrings is one of the major species exploited for production of pearl essence.In India, ribbon fish is used for production of pearl essence. When guanine particles are deposited on the inside surface of solid beads, an optical effect similar to that of real pearl is obtained. Therefore, the present comparative study of extraction of pearl essence from scales of different types of fishes may play a decisive role in quantity of pearl essence from different types of fishes.