Optimization of chitin and chitosan production from shrimp wastes and characterization

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to optimize and evaluate chitin and chitosan production conditions from shrimp waste using the response surface methodology and to characterize obtained chitosans. The effects of demineralization and deproteinization conditions on chitin production and deacetylation conditions on chitosan production were investigated. Optimum conditions for chitin production were observed at using 0.73 mol/L hydrochloric acid for 132.61 min at room temperature for demineralization and 0.95 mol/L sodium hydroxide for 75.65 min at 60.49 °C for deproteinization. The obtained chitin was used to optimize chitosan production and two different chitosans were defined as chitosan-1 and chitosan-2. Chitosan-1 was obtained by deacetylation with 40% sodium hydroxide at 120 °C for 300 min, and Chitosan-2 was obtained by deacetylation with 50% sodium hydroxide at 100 °C for 720 min. The obtained chitosans were characterized by their degree of deacetylation, molecular weight, viscosity, mineral content, whiteness index, and scanning electron microscope micrographs. Practical applications Chitosan, carbohydrate-based polymer, is derived from crustacean shells. The extraction process of chitin and chitosan from shrimp wastes sourced of different sources needs optimization to obtain high yield chitosan without impurity. Although the production of chitosan by chemical method has been studied earlier, this is the first report on extraction of chitin and chitosan from shrimp waste from the Marmara Sea in Turkey. Shrimp waste from Marmara Sea in Turkey, which has no economic value, can be successfully converted into chitosan. The effective utilization of these wastes would not only eliminate waste but also contribute to the economy as value-added products.