Extraction of Chitin from Different Sources by Green Chemistry Approach, Chitosan Production and Its Characterization
Project no. 27352 · Status: Kapanmış · 2023
Summary
<p>Chitosan is one of the most important derivatives of chitin, which is among the most abundant biopolymers in nature, and it is used in various fields ranging from food and cosmetics to agricultural and medical appliations.</p><p>The extraction of chitin and chitosan from chitin sources is commonly achieved through processes that use traditional solvents. Today, environmentally friendly and alternative solvents under the new-generation “Green Chemistry” approach are being considered as substitutes for traditionally used solvents in chemical production processes, which are known for their toxic effects. One such new-generation solvent is deep eutectic solvents (DES).</p><p>The starting point of this study is the search for alternative methods that address both the resources used in the production of chitin and chitosan and the reduction of the environmental impact of chemical methods. Guided by this search, this study is designed to explore both different chitin sources and the use of environmentally friendly, alternative production processes for chitin and chitosan.</p><p>Within the scope of this project, the production of chitin and chitosan, which have potential applications in the medical field such as high-value industrial and biotechnological drug delivery, will be achieved using deep eutectic solvents (DES). These green and environmentally friendly solvents have gained significant attention recently and will replace traditional solvents. The project will focus on the extraction of chitin and chitosan from marine shellfish waste, beekeeping waste, and mushrooms. The use of DES for the conversion of beekeeping waste and mushrooms into chitin and chitosan represents the innovative aspect of this project.</p><p>Additionally, the limited studies available in the literature have utilized deep eutectic solvents only for the extraction of chitin, and the production of chitosan, which has higher added value, has not been realized. The extraction of chitosan from chitin using DES systems constitutes another original aspect of this project.</p><p>This proposed project, in addition to the studies on chitin and its derivatives previously conducted by our group, aims to leverage the existing infrastructure, knowledge, and experience to transform marine shellfish waste, mushrooms, and apiculture waste into high-value-added products at the national level.</p>