Influence of deproteinization and demineralization process sequences on the physicochemical and structural characteristics of chitin isolated from Deep-sea mud shrimp (Solenocera hextii)

Isolation of chitin from shrimp shell waste using chemical process is a well-adopted industrial practice due to its short process time and efficiency in removing both minerals and proteins from the shell. This study aims to compare the physicochemical, functional, and structural characteristics of chitin obtained from Deep-sea mud shrimp shells using two chemical process sequences: (i) initial deproteinization followed by demineralization (DPM) and (ii) initial demineralization followed by deproteinization (DMP). Characteristics of the extracted chitin, namely degree of acetylation, whiteness index, purity, crystallinity index and surface morphology were evaluated and compared with those of commercial chitin. The high levels of deproteinization and demineralization observed for both DPM and DMP processes suggest the effectiveness of the processes. The Mw of 436.59 ± 1.00 kDa, DA of 81.56 ± 1.10% and WI of 71.39 ± 0.72 for chitin prepared by DMP were higher than those of chitin prepared by DPM, which had Mw of 429.34 ± 1.21 kDa, DA of 75.91 ± 0.99% and WI of 45.03 ± 1.39. The CrI values for DPM and DMP chitins were 68.7% and 72%, respectively. SEM analysis revealed a microfibrillar structure with porosity for the isolated chitin.