EXTRACTION OF CHITIN AND CHITOSAN FROM DEAD BEES

Abstract

This study explores an environmentally friendly method for obtaining chitin and chitosan from dead bees, which represent a valuable biological waste resource. The extraction process includes the stages of deproteinization, demineralization, and deacetylation, carried out under optimized temperature and concentration conditions. The structure and purity of the obtained chitin and chitosan were confirmed using infrared (IR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The resulting biopolymers exhibited high degrees of deacetylation and excellent solubility in weak acidic media. These materials show potential applications in biomedicine, water purification, food packaging, and agricultural industries due to their biodegradability, antimicrobial activity, and non-toxicity. Utilizing dead bees as a source not only provides a sustainable alternative for producing chitin and chitosan but also contributes to ecological waste management.