The Use of Exoskeletons of Shrimp (<i>Litopenaeus vanammei</i>) and Crab (<i>Ucides cordatus</i>) for the Extraction of Chitosan and Production of Nanomembrane

Abstract

Chitin is widely distributed in nature, being the main structural component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans and is non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible. These exoskeletons once discarded become an industrial waste creating environmental pollutant. In order to find an alternative use, the present work exploits the extraction of the chitosan from chitin that is present in the exoskeletons of shrimps <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i> and crabs <i>Ucides cordatus</i> and transforms it into high valued products, which can help solving the environmental problem as well to provide extra income to the fishermen. One example is the manufacture of nanomembranes from chitosan for the application in medical textiles. Nanomembranes using electrospinning of chitosan solutions (7% and 5wt%) with 100:0 v/v (TFA/DCM) and 70:30 v/v (TFA/DCM) were produced. Morphological properties of chitin and chitosan were studied using SEM, DRX, and thermal properties through TG/DTG and molecular structure by FTIR analysis. TG/DTG showed thermal decomposition of chitosan samples. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the semi-crystalline structure of chitosan, and highly crystalline structure for chitin. Morphologies of the nanomembranes were also observed from scanning electron micrographs. Results showed that the nanomembranes with 5% chitosan solutions with 70:30 v/v (TFA/DCM) showed facilitation in the formation of the nanomembranes. The nanomembranes of shrimp and crab with 5% 70:30 v/v (TFA/DCM) had higher breaking tension and breaking extension. With positive results obtained, the present work will help the authorities to organize the fishermen to have consciousness in the collection of exoskeleton waste as well as helping to have a better environment

Effect of some biological factors on the chitin yield of two crustacean species inhabiting the Egyptian waters

“…chitin, proteins, minerals and pigments) obtained for the two species in the present work were in agreement with previous studies on other crustaceans [17,19]. Differences in the levels of those components with high proportion of minerals in two species (more than 50%) could be referred to the mechanical requirements as well as the difference in the biological escape behavior between the two animals.…”

“…Sodium hypochlorite was used to reduce the odor of the material and remove pigments [17]. The solid residue was washed with tap water for 30 min, oven-dried and weighed.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan Obtained from Shells of Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone)

“…There are several reports in the literature on the preparation of chitin and chitosan from shrimp shells [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], but, as indicated above, the quality of the resulting chitosan was very dependent on the raw material and the particular procedure employed. Lamark et al developed a multistep procedure to obtain fully deacetylated chitin preforming freeze-pump out-thaw (FPT) cycles (freezing at −193 C and thawing at 25 C) in the presence of 50% ( w / v ) NaOH, with deacetylation temperatures ranging from 80 to 110 C. The FPT cycles improved the reaction effectiveness by opening the crystalline structure of chitin, making it more permeable to alkaline solutions.…”

Recent Advances in Polymer-Based Vaginal Drug Delivery Systems

“…The reaction is usually performed in the presence of concentrated NaOH; however, the process may also be conducted with the use of a chitin deacetylase [115]. The most extensively exploited source of chitin used as a substrate to obtain chitosan isedible crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs [116,117]. Chitosan is a group of linear copolymers consisting of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine connected with β-1,4 bonds [118].…”