STUDYING BIOPROCESSING PROCEDURES FOR PREPARATION OF CHITIN FROM SHRIMP SHELLS

Abstract

The procedure based on using proteolytic activity of bromelanin extracted from pine-applewaste was successfully used for isolation of chitin from shrimp shells. The enzyme-processingmethod included steps: (1) treating shrimp shells with the extracts from pine-apple waste (forremoval of proteins and minerals), (2) further removal ofthe tightly bind protein by boiling with 2% or 1% alkali solutions (NaOH), and (3) removal of pigments by treatment with KMnO, andoxalic acid (in the final concentrations of 0.1 % and I %, respectively).This new enzyme-processing method was performed at three laboratory scales with theamounts of shrimp shell material of 100 g, 500 g and 2 kg per an extraction. It is thought to bethat the enzyme-processing method is more useful than the well-known routine chemical methodfor isolation chitin from shrimp shells.