RESPONSE-SURFACE OPTIMIZATION AND KINETICS OF ISOLATING CHITIN FROM PINK SHRIMP (SOLENOCERA-MELANTHO) SHELL WASTE

Response surface methodology has been applied to the isolation of chit in from pink shrimp shell powder. The optimal deproteinization conditi on occurs at 75 degrees C, 2.5 N NaOH. A minimal solution to solid rat io of 5 mL/g is required to maintain fluidity during deproteinization. Deproteinization exhibits two-stage first-order reaction kinetics. Th e maximum deproteinizatlon rate constant approaches 0.1 min(-1) when t he protein content is decreased from 16% to slightly above 7%. After t he first 30 min, the deproteinization rate constant could decrease up to 2 orders of magnitude. The optimal demineralization condition is ar ound 1.7 N HCl, with an acid solution Co solid ratio of 9 mL/g at ambi ent temperature. Demineralization could be described as a pseudo-first -order reaction. The demineralization rate constant ranges from 0.0002 0 to 0.017 min(-1).