Scaling Up Chitin Extraction from Shrimp Shell Using Symbiotic Co-Lactic Acid Fermentation and Proteolytic Fungal Fermentation in Stirred Tank Bioreactor

This study aimed to extract chitin from shrimp shell powder (SSP) by demineralization (DM) using symbiotic co-lactic acid fermentation (Co-LAF) by Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus thermophilus and deproteinization (DP) using successive fermentation by protease producing fungus, Rhizopus oligosporus. The process was scaled up in a 5 L-stirred tank bioreactor. DM by Co-LAF and DP by protease producing fungus led to greater DM and DP of 91.92±1.45% and 89.50±1.71%, respectively. The chitin extraction yield was 40.00±2.01%. The scaled-up performance was better than that of the flask-scale, particularly in terms of LA and protease production, and DP, likely due to better heat transfer and aeration provided for the fungi. These results show the possibility of scaling up of biological extraction of chitin from SSP.