Deep eutectic solvent-based extraction and fabrication of chitin films from crustacean waste

In this study, chitin was exclusively extracted from shrimp shells (Marsupenaeus japonicas) through a green solvent called deep eutectic solvent (DES), and various types of DES were utilized to extract chitin. The physicochemical properties of the obtained chitin were compared with the conventional method. A high purity of chitin was obtained while using DES-8 (choline chloride-malonic acid) with a yield of 19.41% ± 1.35%, and purity was confirmed using ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance. The DES-produced chitin was utilized to produce chitin films and was compared with standard chitin films. The obtained films were characterized by SEM, AFM, TGA, DSC, FTIR, mechanical properties, moisture sorption, swelling behavior, and biodegradation. The DES film showed similar properties to the standard film, while the mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and biodegradation of the DES chitin films proved to be similar to standard chitin film. These chitin films can be used as wound healing resources.