Synthesis of chitosan and glucosamine from crustaceans wastes (shrimp, crab, lobster)

Processing Crustaceans results large amount of shell left overs. Chitin a natural polymer, constitutes the major part of this waste. Optimal application of this material in different fields may bring about a new era of activity based on chitin industry. Practically, large amounts of crustacean left overs is wasted. Glucosamine and chitosan, with a wide application are being made from these wastes. Heating chitin in the presence of sodium hydroxide, under nitrogen leads to formation of chitosan with 70 - 90% purity degree. In presence of concentrated hydrochloric acid, chitin is converted into glucosamine with 60 - 70% purity degree. Chitin and glucosamine are widely used in sewage treatment, glue production. Food industries, cosmetics paper mills, agriculture, medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutics, textile chromatography photograiry etc.