Extraction and Physicochemical Characterization of Chitosan from Pink Shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) Shell Wastes

This study aimed to evaluate the extract of chitosan obtained from pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) shell wastes in Balıkesir, the Marmara Sea in Turkey, and to characterize its quality. The physicochemical properties of biopolymer chitosan such as moisture content, solubility, degree of deacetylation (DD), molecular weight (MW), particle size, bulk density, pH, water-binding capacity (WBC), fat-binding capacity (FBC), and color attributes were examined. The obtained chitosan was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spektrofotometer (FT-IR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Thermogravimetric measurements (TG/DTA/DTG). Results indicated that the yield and moisture content of chitosan was 18.82% and 3.62%, respectively. DD was 81.50% while solubility was 86.79%. MW of chitosan was found to be 310 kDa. The presence of the amino group was confirmed from the FT-IR spectra of the synthesized chitosan. Thermogravimetric measurements showed that chitosan had low thermal stability. SEM analysis revealed that the surface morphologies of chitosan consisted of relatively smooth surface and nanofiber structures. Based on the physicochemical characteristics obtained in the present study, pink shrimp could be a potential source to produce high-quality chitosan for industrial applications.