Ftir Characterization of Chitosan Extracted from Oyster Shell

Chitosan, a natural biopolymer derived from crustaceans like oyster shells, has diverse applications in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and environmental sciences. This study used Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to characterize chitosan extracted from oyster shells collected in Warri, Nigeria. The extraction process involved demineralization, deproteinization, decoloration, and partial deacetylation of chitin. FTIR analysis revealed distinct peaks corresponding to various functional groups, confirming the successful transformation from chitin to chitosan and a degree of deacetylation of 62%. The moisture content of the extracted chitosan was high at 84.0%, indicating a need for further drying to enhance stability, while the ash content was significant at 47.2%, necessitating additional purification for high-purity applications. The findings align with previous research, affirming the reliability and accuracy of FTIR characterization. However, the high moisture and ash content may limit the chitosan's suitability for certain applications, highlighting the need for further processing. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of oyster shell-derived chitosan, pending further refinement to address moisture and purity concerns, and underscores the importance of FTIR in monitoring chemical modifications and ensuring quality control. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on the effective use of FTIR in chitosan characterization and highlights the ongoing need for optimization in the extraction process to enhance the material's applicability.