Utilization and Applications of Chitosan Extracted from Solenocera crassicornis Exoskeleton

Abstract

In marine arthropods, the largest group Crustaceans contains 30,000 species. The shells of marine crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and lobster, contribute to pollution in coastal areas as biowaste. The crustacean shell wastes consist of approximately 8-10 % chitin, 30-65 % protein, and 10-20 % calcium. Chitosan, a natural biodegradable polymer derived from chitin, finds applications in various fields. In the present paper, the chitosan was extracted from Solenocera crassicornis shrimp shells through a three-step process, which includes demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation. The physicochemical properties of chitosan including ash, moisture content, degree of deacetylation, water and fat binding capacity, and solubility were analyzed. This study explored the diverse applications of chitosan, including its antimicrobial, shelf-life enhancement, anticoagulant, and wastewater treatment properties. This study concluded that chitosan can be suitable for application in various fields including medicine, cosmetology, biotechnology, the edible film industry, and water purification.