Structure and thermal properties of chitin and chitosan from various sources

The structural and thermal properties of chitin and chitosan isolated from different sources (Artemia sp.cysts (from the Aral Sea) and Silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori)) were studied by using FTIR, XRD, and DSC. It is shown, that the chitin and chitosan samples from different sources have a similar structure, however, depending on the sources differ in the ratio of the phase composition. Two types of crystalline modification of the structure (α-and β-modifications) are observed for chitin isolated from Artemia sp.cysts. The chitin isolated from Bombyx mori has three polymorphs (α-, β-and γ-modifications) with orthorhombic, monoclinic and triclinic syngonies. The thermal stability of chitin and chitosan samples was also depended on sources.