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Published on: August 16, 2019
Surface defects due to bacterial residue on shrimp shell
Özgür Celebi1, Tolga Bahadir2, İsmail Şimşek2
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Kafkas University, 36000 Kars, Turkey.
Abstract:
The changes in the surface chemistry and morphological structure of chitin forms obtained from shrimp shells (ShpS) with and without microorganisms were evaluated. Total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB), estimated Pseudomonas spp. and Enterococcus spp. were counted in Shp-S by classical cultural counting on agar medium, where the counts were 6.56 ± 0.09, 6.30 ± 0.12, and 3.15 ± 0.03 CFU/g, respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/Energy dispersed X-ray (EDX) were used to assess the surface chemistry/functional groups and morphological structure for ChTfree (non-microorganism), and ChTmo (with microorganisms). ChTfree FTIR spectra presented a detailed chitin structure by OH, NH, and CO stretching vibrations, whereas specific peaks of chitin could not be detected in ChTmo. Major differences were also found in SEM analysis for ChTfree and ChTmo. ChTfree had a flat, prominent micropore, partially homogeneous structure, while ChTmo had a layered, heterogeneous, complex dense fibrous, and lost pores form. The degree of deacetylation was calculated for ChTfree and ChTmo according to FTIR and EDX data. The results suggest that the degree of deacetylation decreases in the presence of microorganisms, affecting the production of beneficial components negatively. The findings were also supported by the molecular docking model.
Insights
Microorganisms negatively impact chitin structure and chemistry derived from shrimp shells, reducing beneficial component production. This study analyzes chitin surface changes using spectroscopy and microscopy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Chitin, a biopolymer from crustacean shells, has diverse applications.
- Microbial interactions can alter chitin's native properties.
- Understanding these alterations is crucial for chitin-based material development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of microorganisms on shrimp shell chitin's surface chemistry and morphology.
- To compare chitin treated with and without microorganisms (ChTfree vs. ChTmo).
- To assess the effect on the degree of deacetylation and potential beneficial components.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of microbial load (TMAB, Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp.) in shrimp shell chitin.
- Surface chemistry analysis using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy.
- Morphological structure evaluation via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersed X-ray (EDX) analysis.
- Determination of the degree of deacetylation using FTIR and EDX data.
- Molecular docking for theoretical validation.
Main Results:
- Chitin without microorganisms (ChTfree) exhibited distinct FTIR peaks and a homogeneous, microporous SEM structure.
- Chitin with microorganisms (ChTmo) showed altered FTIR spectra with diminished chitin-specific peaks and a heterogeneous, fibrous, pore-less SEM morphology.
- The degree of deacetylation was significantly lower in ChTmo compared to ChTfree.
- Microbial presence negatively affected the production of beneficial chitin components.
Conclusions:
- Microbial contamination significantly alters the surface chemistry and morphology of shrimp shell chitin.
- The degree of deacetylation decreases in the presence of microorganisms, impacting chitin's functional properties.
- Findings suggest microbial control is essential for optimizing chitin's beneficial component production for biotechnological applications.
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