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Chitin/chitosan extraction from shrimp shell waste by a completely biotechnological process
Ana María Sixto-Berrocal1, Marlenne Vázquez-Aldana2, Susana Patricia Miranda-Castro3
1División de Ingeniería Química y Bioquímica, Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Ecatepec, Av. Tecnológico S/N, Valle de Anáhuac, Ecatepec de Morelos, Estado de México 55210, Mexico; Departamento de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán-Campo Uno, Av. 1° de mayo s/n Colonia Santa Ma. Las Torres, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Estado de México C.P. 54740, Mexico.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|January 12, 2023
Summary
This study developed a fully biological method to produce chitin and chitosan from shrimp shells. The process achieved high yields using lactic acid bacteria and an enzyme cocktail, offering a sustainable alternative.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Shrimp shells are abundant chitin sources.
- Current chitin/chitosan extraction often involves harsh chemicals.
- Developing eco-friendly extraction methods is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an entirely biological process for chitin and chitosan production from shrimp shells.
- To optimize demineralization and deproteinization steps using sequential bacterial co-cultures.
- To evaluate the enzymatic deacetylation of chitin to chitosan.
Main Methods:
- Sequential co-culturing of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Bifidobacterium lactis for demineralization and deproteinization.
- Optimization of glucose addition and pH control during bacterial treatment.
- Enzymatic deacetylation of chitin using Aspergillus niger deacetylases.
- Characterization of resulting chitosan properties (deacetylation degree, solubility, molecular weight).
Main Results:
- Highest demineralization (98.63%) and deproteinization (88%) achieved with a glucose pulse and controlled pH (>6.0).
- Chitosan produced had a deacetylation degree >78% and 25% solubility in 1.0 N acetic acid.
- Enzymatic deacetylation yielded 74% chitosan with a molecular weight of 71.31 KDa.
Conclusions:
- An efficient and sustainable all-biological method for chitin and chitosan production from shrimp shells was demonstrated.
- The optimized bacterial co-culture and enzymatic deacetylation offer a green alternative to chemical extraction.
- The produced chitosan exhibits favorable characteristics for potential applications.
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