Extraction and Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan from Shrimp Shell and Squid Pen Waste: Application in Biofilm Production

Abstract

The objective of this study was to extract and characterize alpha-chitosan from Penaeus Vannamei shrimp shell waste and beta-chitosan from Loligo Vulgaris squid pen waste using a chemical extraction method, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the improved development and utilization of chitosan-based biomedical materials. Extraction involved sequential deproteinization, demineralization, and deacetylation, followed by structural characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra confirmed the successful conversion of chitin to chitosan and revealed characteristic bands corresponding to O-H/N-H stretching, amide groups, and glycosidic linkages. The degree of deacetylation (DD) was calculated as 77.82% for alpha-chitosan and 94.45% for beta-chitosan, indicating that beta-chitosan undergoes deacetylation more readily due to its parallel chain arrangement and weaker intermolecular hydrogen bonding. These structural differences significantly influence physicochemical properties such as solubility and crystallinity, which are directly linked to biological activity. Given that higher DD enhances erythrocyte and platelet aggregation, the high-DD beta-chitosan obtained from squid pens demonstrates strong potential for use in hemostatic gel biomaterials. Furthermore, biofilms produced from both alpha- and beta-chitosan underline their promise for biomedical applications, particularly in wound healing and surgical hemostasis.