Understanding the Crab Shell: Structure and Extraction Process

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Structure of Crab shells The exoskeleton of the crab shells contains three distinct layers namely epicutile, exocuticle and endo cuticle. Generally, the exoskeleton has a high degree of mineralization, typically calcium carbonate as main constituent, in some case calcium phosphate. In exoskeleton, chitin fibrils are wrapped with proteins forms a form of fibers which is assembled further into a bundle of fibers in the exoskeleton. In addition to that, the calcium carbonate in the form of calcite deposited in the chitin–protein matrix. Current status of extraction process of chitosan Most of the chemical based extraction processes for chitosan from grabs shells are involved with harsh chemicals with high concentration and temperature. For …show more content…

Because it remains obscure about binding of proteins with chitin in the crab shells. As a consequence, the deproteinization is a complex process and lack of information of about interaction between proteins and chitin and its chemistry in the literature. Deprotenization by alkali method such as sodium hydroxide is a common method for removal of proteins from the shrimp shells. Based on the literature review, Sodium hydroxide is chosen as a de-protenization agent for this process. This step explains the optimized concentration of sodium hydroxide, contact time and temperature of the deproteinization process of crab shells and its limitations such process problems. De-proteinization Process The demineralized crab shell is washed with deionized water to remove the acidity present in the crab shell. The residual acidity in crab shell is removed by washing with water and otherwise it reacts and neutralize with sodium hydroxide solution which lowers the strength of NaOH solution. The demineralized shells are treated with various concentrations of sodium hydroxide solution, contact times and temperature. The 2 ml of sample from the de-protenized solution is taken every hour and measured the absorbance at 280nm in UV-Visible

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