Extraction and Quality Control of Chitin and Chitosan from Shrimp (Vanami) <i>Litophenause Vanamei</i> Shells Wastes

Objective/Background: The biological value of chitin and chitosan obtained from shrimp, such as physiological compatibility, non-toxicity, bio digestibility, absorption and chelating capacity, depends on qualitative parameters that are directly related to raw material source. This study was carried out to investigate extraction and characterization of chitin and chitosan from shrimp Litophenause vanamei shells wastes. Methods: Chitin and chitosan was extracted and characterized from shrimp L. vanamei shells found in Iran, using conventional methods of pretreatment, demineralization, and deacetylation. In this study, commercial shrimp L. vanamei shell was used to extract chitin and chitosan. Results: The degree of deacetylation of shrimp chitosan (49%) is directly related to solubility of chitosan. Chitosan is considered to have excellent biological value with these qualitative parameters. The yield of shrimp chitosan was 13.96%. Conclusion: These results showed that use of shrimp shell waste to produce chitin and chitosan will have more economic and biological value along with reducing environmental pollution.