A Simple and Effective Method to Extract Chitosan from Crustacean Shell Waste

A modified method to extract chitosan from crustacean shell waste is presented. Separate steps for deproteinization, decolorization, and deacetylation were replaced with single-step steeping in an alkali solution for 24 h. This method resulted in 33.26%, 11.39%, and 10.15% of chitosan yield, respectively from whiteleg shrimp, blueswimming crab and giant freshwater prawns whilepreserving physicochemical properties, which was evident by FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDS, ash, viscosity, colour, and antioxidant values. A comparison with the conventional heating method shows 8.10% chemical and 13% energy savings and comparative simplicity of the modified method showing potential to be executed at the industrial level.