Work

Extraction and characterization of Chitin from Lethrinus ornatus (Ornate Emperor) fish scales

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Chitin, an amino polysaccharide, is widely found in the exoskeletons of insects, crustacean shells, and fungal cell walls. However, the potential of fish scales—commonly discarded as industrial waste—as an alternative chitin source remains largely unexplored. This present study aimed to extract and characterize chitin from the scales of Lethrinus ornatus (Ornate Emperor). The yield of chitin extraction from L. ornatus scales was 34.4% (±1.5) on a dry weight basis. Structural elucidation through UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopic analyses revealed the presence of characteristic bands with spectral patterns closely aligned with the literature descriptions. Additionally, SEM studies displayed that the extracted chitin has an amorphous and granular structure. These results indicated that the L. ornatus scales could be used as a novel and alternative source of chitin.

Source: CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development

DOI: 10.22144/ctujoisd.2025.026

Authors: Mary Kate Fatima Bautista, Andrea Therese Laurino, Stephanie Mores, Seagal Asjali

Institution: Cebu Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: De La Salle University, Science Education Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Republic of the Philippines

OpenAlex ID: W4409016668

FWCI: 0.188

Cites:

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10