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Extraction and Characterization of Chitin from Lutjanus sp. Scales
Muhammad Taufiq Saifulhak
Supervisor: Dr Nor Fazliyana Mohtar
Bachelor of Applied Science (Fisheries)
School of Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Chitin is one of the natural polysaccharide, which are found useful in various field such
as industrial, environment and medical field. In this study, scales from Red snapper.
(Lutjanus sp) is used to extract chitin. The widely consumption on this fish has
generated some amount of scales waste, leaving impact on the environment. By
extracting chitin and characterizing chitin from the fish scales it somehow provide and
alternative sources of chitin and can reduce the impact from it waste on environment.
The chitin were extracted following the three steps of chemical treatment which is
demineralization, deproteinisation and depigmentation. Yield percentage calculated
were 27.04%. The crude chitin produced were characterized using Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction Analysis.
Proximate analysis showed that moisture and ash content were 3.53% and 2.4%
respectively. By studying the chemical properties of red snapper scales, it will provides
alternative source for chitin.
609 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018