World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

CHARACTERIZATION OF CHITOSAN FROM WHITE SNAPPER (LATES CALCARIFER) SCALES USING CHEMICAL METHODS

Petrus Lapu*, I.G.N.G. Bidura, N. A. Tomagola, J. Pagaya and A. Killay

ABSTRACT

White snapper (Lates calcarifer) scales can be used as raw material for chitin extraction, and then modified into chitosan. Chitosan is a deacetylation product of chitin either through chemical or enzymatic reactions. The chemical reaction process can be carried out through several stages, namely deproteination, demineralization, depigmentation and deacetylation. Chitosan has many uses such as anti-microbial, water purifier, anti-oxidant, and fat absorbent. This study aims to determine the characterization of chitosan from white snapper scales and the yields of chitin and chitosan extracted from white snapper scales. Extraction of chitin from white snapper scales was carried out by deproteination, demineralization and depigmentation stages. Then the transformation of chitin into chitosan from fish scale waste was carried out through a deacetylation process. The chitosan produced was then tested for the characteristics of chitosan which included determining the degree of deacetylation, moisture content, ash content, color, odor, and texture. The results obtained are presented in tabular form where the chitosan characterization of white snapper scales has a deacetylation degree of 72.80%; 8.36% moisture; and 0.48% ash, has a texture that is not too smooth in the form of flakes and is creamy white in color as well as odorless. While the yield of chitin was 20.10% and the yield of chitosan was 10.72%. Chitin extraction from white snapper scales at each stage obtained a protein of 30.41%; 37.70% mineral; and 11.78% pigment. Based on this research, it can be seen that chitosan from the scales waste of white snapper (L. calcarifer) can be a product of high economic value because it can be used in various fields.

[Full Text Article]   [Download Certificate]