Effects of Purification Sequence on the Extraction Efficiency and Product Properties of Chitin: Using Cicada as an Example

Abstract

Chitin has a wide range of source materials and applications, and it has various of extraction methods, but chemical methods, which contains the three processes of deproteinization, demineralization and decolorization are the most widely used methods. In this method, the three steps mentioned above are considered to be carried out in any order, in other words, the sequence of the three steps does not have any effect on the extraction of chitin. But there is no relevant research to prove it. In this study, cicada was chosen as an example, to compare the two sequences of extraction which are mostly used for chitin extraction, in terms of extraction time and product characteristics. As a result, the order of demineralization, deproteinization and decolorization could not only save nearly two hours of time, but also have a significantly higher acetylation degree and molecular weight on its products. While the order of deproteinization, demineralization, and decolorization could have a significantly higher crystallinity index. And no significant difference was found in the yield of chitin. The results of this study may have an important significance in improving the economic efficiency and the product characteristics of chitin production.