Antibacterial Potential of Chitosan Extracted from Rama Shrimp (Thalassina Anomala) Carapace

Abstract

The added value of the waste of Rama shrimp (Thalassina anomala) carapace could be increased by extracting it to be a chitosan through the stages of demineralization, deproteination and deacetylation. The aim of the research was to determine the ability of chitosan extracted from the carapace to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Chitosan extracted from the shrimp carapace was showing its chemical characteristics, namely: the content of water 6.74%, ash 4.13%, nitrogen 7.5%, and deacetylation degree 71%. Chitosan was dissolved in 1% acetic acid. Antibacterial activity testing was carried out by using the well diffusion method, conducted by addition of chitosan at varied concentration (0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 6%). The results showed that the chitosan had an ability to be antibacterial against Salmonella thypi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. It was indicated by the clear zones formed around the well. The clear zone formed was indicating that the chitosan extracted from the carapace could inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria at a concentration of 1 %. The average of inhibition zone diameter for each bacterium was 11.54 mm, 11.46 mm, 7.78 mm, and 9.84 mm, respectively.