S. Tertsegha - Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Mkar, Benue State
P.I. Akubor - Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Mkar, Benue State
A.A. Iordekighir - Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Mile ۴, Ikwere Road, Rumueme, P.M.B. ۵۰۶۳, Port -Harcourt, Nigeria
K. Christopher - Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, ۲ Batawa Close, Hadeja Road, Kano, Nigeria
O.O. Okike - Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Mile ۴, Ikwere Road, Rumueme, P.M.B. ۵۰۶۳, Port -Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Chitosan due to biodegradable and non-toxic characteristics has versatile applications. Extraction and characterization of Chitosan from Snail Shells In January, ۲۰۲۳ Achatina fulica was performed. Methods: A chemical process involving demineralization and deproteinization was utilized to extract ۲۰۰۰g Chitin from Achatina fulica shells. To produce chitosan, the chitin was subjected to deacetylation. The chitosan was subsequently characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The physicochemical charactristics and mineral compositionswere investigated and the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version ۲۰.۰. Results: The chitosan obtained  from the process was ۷۵%. It exhibited a Degree Of Deacetylation of ۸۲.۳۱%, a molecular weight of ۲.۶۵×۱۰۵ g/mol, an intrinsic viscosity of ۱,۰۰۷.۲ mg/g, and a solubility of ۷۰%. The pH value of chitosan in acetic acid solution was recorded at ۶.۳۸, with a solubility of ۷۰%. The proximate analysis revealed moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, and carbohydrate contents of ۰.۳۲, ۰.۷۲, ۲.۰۱, ۰.۱۳, ۰.۱۵, and ۹۶.۶۷%, respectively.The mineral analysis revealed sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc concentrations of ۳۲.۱۰, ۲۱.۸۰, ۷۲۱, ۲۸۸.۶۰, ۱۲۳.۷۵, ۴۱.۷۷, and ۸.۴۸ mg/g, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis identified the region  characterized by the presence of calcite and calcium phosphate, indicating residual minerals in the extracted chitosan, which contribute to its crystalline structure. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy demonstrated  functional groups such as amino and hydroxyl groups, whereas Scanning Electron Microscopy reported an irregular particle size with rough surfaces and a microfibrillar crystalline structure. Conclusion: The current investigation has the potential to promote the sustainable use of a locally abundant yet underutilized resource, assisting in waste reduction and creation of innovative bioactive materials which could be applied in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. DOI: ۱۰.۱۸۵۰۲/jfqhc.۱۱.۳.۱۶۵۹۰

Lissachatina fulica, Chitin, Chitosan, Snails, Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared