OPTIMIZATION OF CHEMICAL EXTRACTION OF CHITIN FROM PINK SHRIMP (Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846)) SHELLS USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize and model the chemical extraction of chitin from pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846)) shells. The design variables (parameters) were: the concentration and the volume of HCl, and the reaction time, for the demineralization step, and the concentration and the volume of NaOH, the reaction time and the temperature for the deproteinization step. The results showed that the experimental values of protein removal agreed with those predicted by the developed linear mathematical model. The optimal values of the variables under consideration were as follows: 0.32 M HCl, 3 h reaction time, and 60 ml of HCl volume (solid/liquid ratio of 1/120 (w/v)) for demineralization step, and NaOH 0.1 M within 1 h with 200 ml of NaOH (solid to liquid ratio of 1/400 (w/v), and at 30°C for protein removal.