How can i extract chitin from crab shells?

Question

...i was doing a research for my thesis nxt year in our research 2 subject. and i "chitin" got my interest as my potential research proposal...my only problem is to find a methodoogy or process on how can i extract chitin from crab shell when i know that crab shell has also other compounds besides chitin. i hope you can help me with this..

Answer 1

This one is just too easy! All sea animal shells are composed almost entirely of chitin & CaCO3. Place the cleaned shells in a 1% solution of HCl @ 150 deg. F , when the bubbles stop the plastic like pieces left are chitin.

Answer 2

Try boiling with CaCl2.