Preparation and characterization of α-chitin and chitosan from the shells of Macrobrachium rosembergii

摘要

The shells of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were submitted to deproteinization (Dp) and demineralization (Dm) aiming the extraction of α-chitin. The different parts of the shells were processed independently by carrying out sequence 1 (Dp/Dm) and sequence 2 (Dm/Dp). Both sequences allowed the extraction of chitins with low contents of calcium and magnesium, regardless of the part being processed. The sequence 1 lead to higher extraction yields while sequence 2 resulted in lower contents of inorganic compounds. Extensively deacetylated chitosans (GA10%) of medium molecular weight (0,9 x 105 Mv 2 x 105 g/mol) resulted from the deacetylation of chitin.