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Preparation of Binary and Ternary Deep Eutectic Systems
Published on: October 31, 2019
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Eco-friendly chitosan production from diverse biowastes: deep eutectic solvents outperform conventional methods
Rayen Ben Aoun1, Ridha Mhamdi2, Filomena Freitas3
1Laboratory of Olive Biotechnology, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Soliman, Tunisia; Faculty of Science of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|December 11, 2025
Summary
This study presents a greener method for extracting chitosan using deep eutectic solvents (DES) and milder conditions. The new approach enhances yields and maintains quality, offering a sustainable alternative for chitosan production.
Area of Science:
- Biopolymer Chemistry
- Sustainable Materials Science
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Chitosan, a biopolymer from chitin, is valued for its biocompatibility and biodegradability.
- Traditional extraction methods often involve harsh chemicals and high energy consumption.
- Developing sustainable and efficient chitosan extraction techniques is crucial for industrial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a gentle, eco-friendly extraction method for chitin and chitosan using deep eutectic solvents (DES).
- To compare the efficacy of two DES systems (choline chloride-urea and choline chloride-lactic acid) for extracting chitosan from insect (Black Soldier Fly) and marine (shrimp, crab) sources.
- To evaluate the characteristics and biological activities of chitosan obtained through the novel green extraction process.
Main Methods:
- Chitin extraction using two DES: choline chloride-urea (Ch:U) and choline chloride-lactic acid (Ch:LA).
- Optimized deacetylation of chitin using 35% NaOH.
- Characterization of extracted chitosan using SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, DSC, NMR, rheology, and biological assays.
Main Results:
- The green extraction method significantly increased yields across all tested sources (crab, shrimp, Black Soldier Fly).
- Choline chloride-urea DES demonstrated superior performance compared to choline chloride-lactic acid.
- High deacetylation degrees (69-87%) were achieved, comparable to conventional methods, with notable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities observed, especially in Black Soldier Fly chitosan extracts.
Conclusions:
- Sustainable deep eutectic solvent-based extraction offers an environmentally friendly and scalable alternative for producing high-quality chitosan.
- The developed method reduces reliance on harsh chemicals, aligning with green chemistry principles.
- Further research into direct chitosan extraction from shells using DES can enhance process efficiency and sustainability.
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