One-step bio-extraction of chitin from shrimp shells by successive co-fermentation using Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum

Chitin was bio-extracted in one-step from shrimp shells by successive co-fermentation using Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum in this study. To construct this co-fermentation system, B. subtilis was first cultured for 3 days for deproteinization (DP), and then L. plantarum was inoculated for demineralization (DM). After 6 days of co-fermentation, the final DP and DM efficiency reached 94.1% and 96.3%, respectively. The molecular weight, degree of acetylation, and crystalline index of chitin were reduced by 9.8, 5.6 and 1.4% with the DP time of 2 days extending to 3 days. Meanwhile, L. plantarum instead of B. subtilis became the dominant bacterium on day 5 of co-fermentation, with L. plantarum count of 6.19 log CFU/mL and lactic acid concentration of 28.22 g/L, respectively. The chitin prepared in this study exhibited similar structural characterization as commercial chitin. One step successive co-fermentation was a simple and feasible approach for high-quality chitin preparation. Industrial relevance: This study establishes one-step bio-extraction of chitin from shrimp shells by successive co -fermentation using B. subtilis followed by L. plantarum. One-step successive co-fermentation simplifies the in-termediate processes of conventional two-step fermentation for extracting chitin. DP and DM happen during the entire co-fermentation period, which helps to achieve satisfactory DP and DM efficiency. This innovative yet simple method provides more possibilities for the biotechnological production of chitin on an industrial scale.

Automated summary

Chitin was successfully extracted from shrimp shells in one step through successive co-fermentation. The efficiency of deproteinization and demineralization during co-fermentation was high, and the prepared chitin exhibited similar structural characteristics to commercial chitin.