Trialling techniques to assess the chemical properties of chitosan extracted through a novel process.

Introduction

Cuantec is a small biotechnology company based in Oban who are developing valuable products from chitin. Chitin is found in crustacea, insect exoskeletons and mushrooms, and is the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose. Shellfish processing and mushroom farming create large volumes of waste which contain chitin and this is usually disposed of in the UK.

CuanTec’s high quality chitin, extracted from food processing waste, is a result of a novel biological extraction process, which is much gentler than the conventional chemical extraction typically used.  This means CuanTec’s chitin and subsequent chitosan is suitable for use in applications like home-compostable packaging and novel biocidal preparations which make use of chitosan’s natural anti-microbial characteristics. CuanTec have already produced biodegradable, optically clear flexible film prototypes to replace single use plastic packaging and have demonstrated the anti-bacterial capabilities of their chitosan.

Challenge

CuanTec wanted to investigate the chemical properties of the chitosan which is produced through their chitin extraction and deacetylation process (the removal of acetyl groups from chitin).

Characterising the degree of deacetylation and identifying the composition characteristics and reproducibility of CuanTec’s process by-products is important for the company to determine the industrial value of the chitosan they produce.

Solution

CuanTec produced a range of samples of chitosan for JHI to analyse.

Gordon McDougall and his team at JHI then used Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-VIS spectroscopy to detect the concentration of acetyl groups on the chitosan. They analysed multiple samples and correlated the results to determine which techniques can reliably and robustly assess the degree of deacetylation of CuanTec’s chitosan and which methodologies could be used in future quality control systems.

CuanTec then evaluated the results from JHI to establish the potential of their commercial chitosan and decide which techniques could be established in manufacturing quality control systems.

Outcome

The team at JHI completed the analysis, but the results were inconclusive and the commercially available chitosan standards were not adequate to determine the degree of deacetylation accurately. Nevertheless, the team have worked together to develop a plan to look into other techniques to assess this parameter, including the possible use of other types of spectroscopy.