A simple procedure to detect chitin in delicate structures

A simple procedure is deviced to detect chitin in egg shells and integument of parasites using iodinesulfuric acid method. It is observed that the materials do not survive in saturated alkali at 160 degrees C for 15 min, but resist the treatment of 40% KOH at 90 degrees C for 25 min, indicating that the time and temperature required for optimum hydrolysis may differ from material to material. In some preparations, an yellow-green colour was observed, which was occluded and a positive reaction was obtained with acid pretreatment, indicating that incomplete neutralization may prevent the reaction of chitin aggregates with iodine.