EVALUATION OF CHITIN FROM MENACING BARNACLES BY MICROBIAL FERMENTATION

Chitin (C₈H₁₃O₅N)_n  a monosaccharide, is a rich biopolymer that has numerous applications. This chain of N- acetylglucosamine form covalent β-1, 4 linkages similar to the cellulose. Chitin has various applications in the field of agriculture, water treatment, food industry, cosmetics, medicine etc., Chitin has been extracted from shrimp and crab waste in common. The present study is on extraction of chitin from the barnacles. The bio-fouling by barnacles is a major menacing factor for the ship owners and engineers that increase the frictional resistance of ship hulls, resulting in the rise in power and fuel consumption. Extraction of chitin from the barnacles was done through microbial fermentation by Lactobacillus sps., isolated from oyster shell. The extracted chitin was characterised by FTIR. This extraction of chitin from barnacles on a larger scale will be a solution for the menace caused by bio-fouling barnacles and better waste management practices.