GREEN SYNTHESIS OF NANOCHITOSAN USING AFRICAN OIL PALM (Elaeis Guineensis) PETIOLE AS DEACETEYLATING AND DEPROTEINATING AGENT

Chitosan, a derivative of chitin composed of β-(1→4)-linked 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose units, is widely used in environmental, biomedical, and food industries. In this study, chitosan was extracted from periwinkle shells (Tympanotonus fuscatus) using alkali obtained from the ash of the petioles of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) petioles, which served as a green agent for deproteination and deacetylation. The extracted chitosan was further reduced to nanochitosan using a sodium tripolyphosphate solution. The proximate analysis and characterisation of nanochitosan were conducted using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The physical properties of the ashed E. guineensis extract, determined using standard methods, included the ash content. (17.30%), pH (11.74), yield (76.20%), and alkali content of 0.88 M. Proximate analysis of the chitosan revealed moisture content of 4.43%, ash content 5.26%, protein 1.06%, fat 0.48%, water binding capacity of 1260%, fat binding capacity of 381.30%, and was soluble in 1% acetic acid. The degree of deacetylation was 90.55%, and the percentage yield was 89%. Characterization using FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of functional groups such as –OH, –NH, –CONH₂, C=O, and C–H, with peaks ranging from 3779.00- 567.00 cm-1. SEM and TEM analyses showed spherical, porous, and agglomerated nanoparticles. The XRD and TGA results indicated that the nanochitosan is semi-crystalline, thermally stable, and non-volatile. Overall, the research demonstrated that nanochitosan was successfully produced using biowaste, yielding a high-quality, low-toxicity chitosan suitable for diverse industrial applications.