Physicochemical Properties and Functional Characteristics of Ecologically Extracted Shrimp Chitosans with Different Organic Acids during Demineralization Step

The current study aims to develop eco-friendly and economical chitosans with a wide range of applications using organic acids for shrimp shells demineralization. Chitosan samples were extracted from shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) shells and the demineralization step was performed with three organic acids (citric, acetic, and lactic) and two mineral acids (hydrochloric and sulfuric). The chitosans were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chitosans’ physicochemical properties were also determined. The characteristic bands and functional groups of the chitosans were identified by FTIR spectra. The chitosans’ crystallinity order was as follows: Ch(HCl) > Ch(Citric) > Ch(H2SO4) > Ch(Lactic) > Ch(Acetic). The chitosans’ morphological characteristics revealed a smooth surface and fibrous structures with pores. Chitosans extracted by organic acids showed the highest extraction yields. Ch(HCl) and Ch(Citric) had higher degrees of deacetylation values; 83.67% and 81.47%, respectively. The solubility was proportional to the degree of deacetylation. Furthermore, Ch(H2SO4) and Ch(Citric) had lower molecular weight values; 149 kDa and 183 kDa, respectively. Organic acids are as effective as mineral acids for shrimp shells demineralization. The developed process opens up possibilities to produce chitin and chitosan in a more eco-friendly way and at a lower cost in many industrial sectors.