Protonated cross-linked chitosan derived from crab shell waste for simulated cyanide wastewater remediation

Date of Completion

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Keywords

chitin, chitosan, crabs, cyanide, adsorption isotherm, wastewater remediation

Abstract

Cyanide wastewater contamination, existing in various industries such as mining, fishing, and manufacturing, presents an alarming risk to both the environment and the health of individuals. The seafood industry also poses waste management issues from its crustacean wastes including crab shells. Chitin, a natural biopolymer, is a valuable component of crustacean exoskeletons. Chitosan, another biopolymer derived from deacetylation of chitin, exhibits many applications in biomedicine, food industry, and especially in wastewater treatment due to its sorption capabilities. This study aims to investigate the potential use of modified chitosan from crab shell wastes in the remediation of simulated cyanide wastewater. Crabs were randomly selected form the local market and processed via subsequent demineralization and deproteinization to extract chitin. Chitosan was then synthesized from the extracted chitin through deacetylation using NaOH. The synthesized chitosan was further modified through protonation and crosslinking. The effectiveness of protonated cross-linked chitosan (CLCH) was evaluated through batch adsorption trials using simulated cyanide wastewater solutions. Results indicated that the CLCH had very low adsorption of cyanide, which fitted the Freundlich model isotherm but not in Langmuir, implying that it has a multilayer adsorption surface. On the other hand, an adsorption trial of synthesized chitosan without modification showed significant adsorption capabilities and fitted the Langmuir model, indicating that its adsorption surface is monolayer. Overall, chitosan showed great potential for cyanide wastewater remediation while CLCH needs improvement for its modification methods.

First Advisor

Justin Daryl S. Mateo

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