New aspects of the extraction of chitin from squid pens

In this work, we studied the extraction of beta chitin from squid pens. The characterization by ICP of the raw material confirmed the significant absence of calcium carbonate and then the possibility to definitely avoid a step of demineralization responsible for chain degradation. The kinetics studies associated with the extraction of lipid parts showed the important role played by the latter structures on the limitation of the protein extraction by a simple treatment in an aqueous solution of 1 M NaOH. The role of various parameters such as the size of the particles, time and number of steps, and the concentration in sodium hydroxide was studied. The determination of the molecular characteristics (molecular weight and degree of acetylation) allowed us to define the optimal conditions of deproteinization in relation with the best preservation of these characteristics.