Pilot scale enzymatic extraction of chitin at Université de Lille

At The Charles Viollette Research Institute for Food and Biotechnologies and the University of Lille, an enzyme assisted extraction of chitin from shrimp shells has been developed. In this video the pilot scale process is explained. Chitin is a promising environmental-friendly alternative for mineral fertilizers and chemical plant protection in soilless cultivation. In the Horti-BlueC project, chitin is tested as a valuable soil or growing medium amendment for agriculture. Fishery wastes, and more specifically the crustacean fraction, are considered as a potential feedstock for chitin production. For processing shrimp shells into chitin by chemical and enzymatic treatment, two steps are needed: first demineralization followed by deproteinization.

Factsheet for chitin valorisation chain: https://ilvo.vlaanderen.be/uploads/do...
More info on the valorisation chain: https://www.horti-bluec.eu/en/calenda...
Interreg 2 Seas project Horti-BlueC: https://www.horti-bluec.eu