Isolation and physicochemical characterization chitin, chitosan from the Callinectes sapidus

Callinectes sapidus crab species is a member of crustacea family and is world widely distributed. The interior shells are consumed as food due to which it has a great economic value. Chitin which is one of the basic components of outer shells was obtained by using demineralization (4M HCL) and deprotienization (2 M NaOH) techniques. The dry weight of chitin was recorded as approximately % 11 of the dry weight of shells. When the obtained pure chitin was subjected to % 60 NaOH solution for deacetylation, % 77 chitosan was obtained from all the material (chitin). In this study, chitosan deacetylation degree was determined as % 82.5. Through various analyses (FTIR, TGA and XRD) it was determined that the obtained chitosan was of α form. In the present study the DTGA max value for chitin was observed as 390 ºC while for chitosan this value was recorded as 306 ºC. Porous and fibrous surface morphology was revealed by SEM results. In this study the obtained chitosan from outer shells of blue crab possess antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties i.e. high antimicrobial activity was observed against 6 human pathogens and 3 fish pathogens. As of right now, our country does not have any factory or plant where chitin and its derivatives can be produced. By examining the customs records it was observed that annually $ 13 are spending upon the imports of chitin and its derivatives. Current study demonstrated a good manufacturing method of chitin and its derivatives which is easily applicable in our country. Keywords: Chitin, Chitosan, SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA