Synthesis and characterization of chitosan micro/nanoparticles obtained from crustaceans wastes

DIMA JIMENA, ZARITZKY NOEMÍ

Workshop; II Workshop on Bio-degradable Polymers and Biocomposites; 2015

In the coastline of Patagonia-Argentina, seafood processing industry discards large amounts ofcrustaceans shellfish wastes; exoskeletons are converted in a solid residue,which accumulate in landfills becoming an environmental pollutant. However these residues containchitin. Chitosan (CH) is obtained by the derivation of chitin and represents an attractive alternative to otherbiomaterials because of its physico-chemical characteristics, and excellentchelation behavior [1]. In the last years the production of chitosanmicro/nanoparticles (MCH) are being investigated in different scientific areasas carriers of drugs, antifungal and antibacterial agents, metal bioadsorbent ,among others [2-3] .The objectives of the present study were: i) to synthesizemicro/ nanoparticles combining chitosan dissolved in acid solution withtripolyphosphate (TPP) as the crosslinking agent; ii ) to characterize MCH byScanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), FTIR, particle size distribution and zetapotential. iii) to determine the effect of pH and different concentrations of TPPand chitosan solutions on the optimization of the MCH production.