physicochemical and functional properties of crawfish chitosan as ...

was reduced from four to three steps (excluding decolorization). No et al. (2002) studied the
effects of elimination of deproteinization (DP) step or reduction of alkali treatment time on the
physicochemical and functional properties of chitosan products; they reported that chitosan
prepared without DP has comparable N2 content, and lower degree of acetylation, solubility, and
water and fat binding capacity. However, the end product is higher in molecular weight and
viscosity, and lower in dye binding capacity than traditional chitosan prepared with the DP
treatment.
However, a comprehensive study to examine the effects of process
alteration/modification of chitosan production on various physicochemical characteristics and
functional properties of crawfish chitosan products has not yet been reported. Hence, the aim of
this study was to evaluate physicochemical and functional properties of crawfish chitosan as
affected by modification of process protocols from the traditional four basic processing steps
(DP, DM, DC, and DA) used in the isolation of chitosan from crawfish shell waste. The specific
objectives, therefore, were to:
1. Develop an optimum chitosan production process for our particular intended application;
2. Study the physicochemical and functional properties of crawfish chitosan, prepared from
modified process protocols, and compare these properties with those of commercial crab
chitosans;
3. Evaluate how decoloration (DC) affects physicochemical and functional properties of
crawfish chitosans;
4. Determine the effects of reversing the steps such as demineralization (DM) and
deproteinization (DP) during the production of chitosan from crawfish shell on their
physicochemical and functional properties;
4