Investigation of Different Deacetylation Degree of Chitosan Extracted From Shrimp Shell Waste

Introduction: Chitin and chitosan have been of interest in the past few decades due to their potential broad range of industrial applications. Due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, nontoxic and wound healing properties and hemostatic activity, chitosan has received increased attention as one of the promising renewable polymeric materials for various applications. Because of those valuable specifications of chitosan are commonly uses in different sectors including especially food, chemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, veterinary, cosmetic, medicine, dentistry, environmental protection, textile, paper making and packaging. Material and Methods: In this study, crustacea shells were obtained from remains of food processing operations. Shells were competely separated from meat, organs and other discards, washed with tap water and dried at room temperature for 12 hours. For the extraction of chitosan deproteinization, demineralization and decolorization steps were carried out with 2.5N NaOH at 65 ºC for 6 h; 1.7 N HCl at 25 ºC for 6 h, and 1:9 hydrogenperoxide:shells threatened and then dried at 90 ºC for 2h, respectively. End of that processes prepared two different type of deacetylation degree of chitosan (low and high) and compared with physicochemical parameters. In order to determine basic physicochemical analysis of the chitosan; moisture and ash content, water and fat binding capacities, degree of deacetylation, molecular weight determination and viscosity, were measured with using AOAC, (1990), Wang and Kinsella, (1976), potentiometric titration methods, Wang et al., (2006), Automated Micro Viscometer (AVMn), respectively. Results: The results of the physicochemical parameters (deacetylation degree, moisture, ash, water and fat binding capacities, molecular weight, viscosity) of chitosan extracted from deep sea pink shrimp (Parapenaeous longirostris) shells are given as below. Degree of deacetylation were founded as 72.86% and 93.70%; the moisture contents were founded 1.80% and 1.52%; the ash contents were 0.12% and 0.18%; molecular weights were 14.08 kDa and 2.15 kDa; apparent viscosities were 1450 cP and 150 cP; water binding capacities were 808.17% and 654.16%, fat binding capacities were 910.23% and 692.30%, respectively. Discussion: In conclusion, oodles of crustacea shells have been discarded as wastes by seafood factory operations in the entire world. This has led to considerable scientific and technological interest in chitosan as an attempt to use these renewable wastes