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Extraction and Characterization of Chitosan from Aspergillus flavus strain AF2118

Author: Aathira S. Kumar and Kamla Malik

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Abstract

Chitosan is a versatile natural hydrophilic polysaccharide which is composed of glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units linked by β 1, 4-glycosidic bonds. It is mainly derived from chitin which is a component of crustacean exoskeleton such as shrimp, lobster, crab, insects and cell wall of fungi. Conventional method of chitosan production has harmful environmental effects since it produces millions of tons of basic and acidic residues, which are discharged into the ecosystem without any further treatment. The enzymatic deacetylation of chitin is the major mechanism for synthesis of chitosan in fungi. The chitosan produced from crustacean shell waste had inconsistent physicochemical properties because of variable and seasonal supply of raw materials and difficulties in processing methods. To overcome these problems, fungi have been treated as an alternative source for chitosan production. In our study 18 morphologically different fungal isolates, 17 bacteria and 3 actinomycetes were isolated. These isolates were further screened for chitin deacetylase activity. The isolate FC3 was the most efficient fungal isolate showing highest yield of chitosan (0.096g/100ml). The chitosan extracted from isolate FC 3 presented a degree of deacetylation of 88.5%. On the basis of ITS sequencing, the fungal isolate FC 3 showed 92 % similarity with Aspergillus flavus strain AF2118.

Keywords

Chitosan, fungi, degree of deacetylation, chitin deacetylase

Conclusion

Based on the quantitative estimation of chitosan extracted from the biomass, among the different isolates Aspergillus flavus strain AF2118 (FC3) was selected as an alternative source of chitosan from the shells of crustaceans. Henceforth, an economical process of chitosan production can be organized by growing fungi on agro-industrial waste materials which provides a continu¬ous and unlimited source of chitosan.

References

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How to cite this article

Aathira S. Kumar and Kamla Malik (2023). Extraction and Characterization of Chitosan from Aspergillus flavus strain AF2118. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(7): 300-306.