Introduction
1
Algeria, a coastal country with a vast stretch of the Mediterranean Sea, possesses
abundant marine resources that hold tremendous potential for economic and environmental
value. The coastal regions of Algeria are home to diverse marine ecosystems, rich in
biodiversity and teeming with marine life. However, along with the natural beauty and
ecological significance of these coastal areas, there exists a pressing concern regarding the
management of marine waste. The accumulation of marine waste poses significant
environmental challenges, impacting not only the delicate marine ecosystems but also the
coastal communities and their socio-economic activities.
Recent advancements in marine biotechnology have shed light on the potential of marine waste
as a valuable resource for the extraction of bioactive compounds. One such resource of immense
interest is chitin and chitosan, derived from the exoskeletons of crustaceans and marine
organisms. Chitin and chitosan have versatile properties and find wide-ranging applications in
various fields, including medicine, agriculture, cosmetics, and industry.
This dissertation aims to explore the extraction, characterization, and application of chitin and
chitosan obtained from marine waste sources. By investigating different extraction methods and
assessing their efficacy, as well as evaluating the performance of chitosan in multiple fields.
To achieve this objective, the dissertation is divided into three main chapters:
The first chapter, “Literature review”, provides a comprehensive overview of chitin and
chitosan, including their history, properties, characterizations, extraction methods, and diverse
applications. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the fundamental aspects of
chitin and chitosan, their structural characteristics, and the various approaches employed for
their extraction from marine waste. Additionally, it explores the wide range of applications in
fields such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and paper industry, highlighting the
potential benefits and significance of utilizing chitin and chitosan in these areas.
The second chapter, “Experimental section”, focuses on the collection and treatment of raw
materials, as well as the equipment used for the extraction process. Different extraction methods
will be employed and compared to determine the most efficient approach for obtaining highquality chitin and chitosan from shrimp shell waste. The extracted biomolecules, chitin and
chitosan, will be thoroughly characterized through various analytical techniques, including
physicochemical analysis. Furthermore, this chapter will explore the diverse applications of
chitosan in fields such as pharmacy, cosmetics, agriculture, and paper industry. The evaluation
of chitosan's performance in these applications will provide valuable insights into its potential
benefits and effectiveness.
The third chapter, “Results and discussion”, presents the findings obtained from the
experimental analysis. The results will be discussed in detail, addressing the efficiency of
different extraction methods and the characteristics of chitin and chitosan derived from marine
waste sources. Moreover, the chapter will delve into the application-specific results, including
the performance of chitosan in wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, antibacterial
potential, and plant growth stimulation. The discussion will critically analyze the results,
highlighting their significance and implications for marine biotechnology and sustainable
resource utilization.
In the final section, a “general conclusion” will be drawn based on the results and discussions
presented in the previous chapters. This conclusion will summarize the key findings, restate the
research objectives, and provide insights into the overall contributions of the study
1
Algeria, a coastal country with a vast stretch of the Mediterranean Sea, possesses
abundant marine resources that hold tremendous potential for economic and environmental
value. The coastal regions of Algeria are home to diverse marine ecosystems, rich in
biodiversity and teeming with marine life. However, along with the natural beauty and
ecological significance of these coastal areas, there exists a pressing concern regarding the
management of marine waste. The accumulation of marine waste poses significant
environmental challenges, impacting not only the delicate marine ecosystems but also the
coastal communities and their socio-economic activities.
Recent advancements in marine biotechnology have shed light on the potential of marine waste
as a valuable resource for the extraction of bioactive compounds. One such resource of immense
interest is chitin and chitosan, derived from the exoskeletons of crustaceans and marine
organisms. Chitin and chitosan have versatile properties and find wide-ranging applications in
various fields, including medicine, agriculture, cosmetics, and industry.
This dissertation aims to explore the extraction, characterization, and application of chitin and
chitosan obtained from marine waste sources. By investigating different extraction methods and
assessing their efficacy, as well as evaluating the performance of chitosan in multiple fields.
To achieve this objective, the dissertation is divided into three main chapters:
The first chapter, “Literature review”, provides a comprehensive overview of chitin and
chitosan, including their history, properties, characterizations, extraction methods, and diverse
applications. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the fundamental aspects of
chitin and chitosan, their structural characteristics, and the various approaches employed for
their extraction from marine waste. Additionally, it explores the wide range of applications in
fields such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and paper industry, highlighting the
potential benefits and significance of utilizing chitin and chitosan in these areas.
The second chapter, “Experimental section”, focuses on the collection and treatment of raw
materials, as well as the equipment used for the extraction process. Different extraction methods
will be employed and compared to determine the most efficient approach for obtaining highquality chitin and chitosan from shrimp shell waste. The extracted biomolecules, chitin and
chitosan, will be thoroughly characterized through various analytical techniques, including
physicochemical analysis. Furthermore, this chapter will explore the diverse applications of
chitosan in fields such as pharmacy, cosmetics, agriculture, and paper industry. The evaluation
of chitosan's performance in these applications will provide valuable insights into its potential
benefits and effectiveness.
The third chapter, “Results and discussion”, presents the findings obtained from the
experimental analysis. The results will be discussed in detail, addressing the efficiency of
different extraction methods and the characteristics of chitin and chitosan derived from marine
waste sources. Moreover, the chapter will delve into the application-specific results, including
the performance of chitosan in wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, antibacterial
potential, and plant growth stimulation. The discussion will critically analyze the results,
highlighting their significance and implications for marine biotechnology and sustainable
resource utilization.
In the final section, a “general conclusion” will be drawn based on the results and discussions
presented in the previous chapters. This conclusion will summarize the key findings, restate the
research objectives, and provide insights into the overall contributions of the study