Removal of Cr(VI) Using Biochitin from White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Shell Modified by Dithizone

Abstract

Biochitin is a chitin produced from the sequential fermentation of white shrimp shells using Lactobacillus plantarum followed by Bacillus thuringiensis. Biochitin was then modified by adding 0.015 g dithizone/g adsorbent in toluene followed by reflux for 4 hours at 70°C. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum conditions for removal of Cr(VI) using the dithizone modified biochitin (DiBch). This research was carried out using 25 mL Cr(VI) 50 mg/L mixed with DiBch adsorbents in various masses (0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4 and 0.5 gram). The mixture was stirred for various time (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours). Furthermore, the adsorption of electroplating waste with known concentrations was also carried out (0.92; 9.38; 92.39; 986.42 and 13215.94 mg/L). The results of this study indicate that Cr(VI) can be removed optimally using 0.4 g DiBch with stirring time of 2 hours. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) from electroplating waste reached 83.45% ± 0.78.