Chitin extraction and chitosan production from Chilopoda (Scolopendra cingulata) with identification of physicochemical properties

Abstract

The Chilopoda is found in a broad array of terrestrial habitats from tropical rain forests to deserts and there are more than 8000 species worldwide. Chitin and chitosan were obtained from Scolopendra cingulata for the first time in this study and physico-chemically characterized. The dry weight chitin content of S. cingulata was found to be 8% of body weight, and it produced chitosan yields of 66%. Analyses results revealed that Chilopoda chitin was in the α-form. The chitosan derived from Chilopoda chitin has a low molecular weight (2.278 kDa). The surface morphology of chitin from S. cingulata consists of dispersed nanopores and nanofibres.