Modification and Optimization of Chitin Extraction from Shrimp Shell

In the present research, extraction of chitin from shrimp shell was optimized. The optimized parameters consisted of temperature, reaction time and sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid concentrations in extraction processes including demineralization and deproteinazation. In literature, deproteinazation process before demineralization is reported, but our research revealed that the deproteinazation process after demineralization will result in higher yield. According to results, the best time and concentration for hydrochloric acid in the demineralization process are 8 h and 55 °C, respectively. The best time and concentration for sodium hydroxide in deproteinazation process are 12 h and 65 °C, respectively. We found that in the process of demineralization, use of 3N hydrochloric acid instead of 4N, 25% less uses of HCl. For the deproteinazation process 3N sodium hydroxide is the best concentration.