Extraction of Chitosan from shells of crab (Liocarcinus vernalis)
Ali Aberoumand, Maryam Hoseinian
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate on advantages and standard method of extraction chitosan polymer from chitin found in crab ( L. vernalis ) shell as a significant source of chitin and chitosan. The aim of present research was synthesis of chitosan from chitin and determination of its characteristics. In this research, the extraction of chitin and chitosan from the shell of a specific species of crab ( L. vernalis ) from the waters of southern Iran is carried out for the first time. The main organic substance in the crab is chitin, which is a non-toxic natural biopolymer produced commercially. Chitosan is prepared through deproteinization, demineralization and deacetylation processes. Chitosan is characterized by conducting tests of moisture, ash, nitrogen contents, yield, solubility, pH, dry material, WHC, degree of deacetylation, and sample weight. Optimum conditions for chitin and chitosan production were observed using 3% HCl and 4% NaOH solutions used to achieve demineralization and deproteinization, respectively. The chitin and chitosan physicochemical and functional properties measured by standard methods. For chitosan production, 50% NaOH solution used to achieve deacetylation. Chitin and chitosan yield was 66.27% and 50.00% respectively through standard methods. The recorded properties of physicochemical and functional in chitosan were: ash composition (1.85%), moisture content (10.75%), degree of acetylation (99.53%), and water holding capacity (22.74%). Effective use of this wastes not only eliminates it, but also helps economically as value-added products. It can be concluded highest quality of chitosan produced with reference to quantities and properties through standard methods. The potential application of chitosan is multidimensional in nature, such as biotechnology, medical and pharmaceutical sciences, agriculture and environmental protection, food and nutrition. One of the applications of chitosan is as an injectable liquid in the field of increasing oil recovery.