Table 1: Characteristics of Chitin and Chitosan Produced from Pretreated Shrimp Shells by Dilute Salicylic Acid

Characteristics Chitin Chitosan
Ash content (%)* 0.52 ± 0.03 0.48 ± 0.20
Protein content (%) ** 0.55 ± 0.04 0.51 ± 0.25
Solubility (%) 98 ± 0.03
Degree of deacetylation (%) 89 ± 0.35
Molecular Weight (daltons ×106) 1.71
Viscosity (cps) 4850 ± 300
Turbidity (NTU)*** 22 ± 5

* The ash content of the original shells was 24.5%
** The protein content of the original shell was 24%
*** Chitosan 1% (w/v) dissolved in 0. 35 mol L-1 acetic acid (NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit).