Synthesis of chitosan from chitin of escargot (Achatina fulica)

Abstract

Abstract. Chitosan has been made from chitin that was deacetylated from escargot (Achatina fulica). The purification of chitin was done by deproteination, demineralization, and depigmentation. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) identify chitin and chitosan. Characterization of chitosan was determined by water and mineral content, molecular weight, polymerization degree, and degree of deacetylation. The result of the research was obtained chitosan was 6,95%, crystal, white, brownish color, odorless, 3.26±0.45% water content, 10.11±0.38% mineral content, 889.78 molecular weight average with a degree of polymerization 5 and degree of deacetylation 74.78-77.99%.