Physicochemical Properties of Chitin and Chitosan Produced from Medicinal Fungus (Fomitopsis pinicola)

KAYA M., AKATA I., BARAN T., MENTEŞ A.

FOOD BIOPHYSICS, vol.10, no.2, pp.162-168, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11483-014-9378-8
  • Journal Name: FOOD BIOPHYSICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.162-168
  • Keywords: Fungal chitin, Chitosan, Nanofibre, Porous structure, Characterization, Thermal properties, MUSHROOMS, EXTRACTION
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Fomitopsis pincola, which is used as a medicinal fungus in Asia, is widespread throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The fungus's chitin structure was isolated and characterized in this study. It was found that 30.11 % of the dry weight of the fungus consisted of chitin, a very high portion. The chitosan yield from the chitin was 71.75 %. It was calculated that chitin acetylation was 72.5 % and that deacetylation of chitosan was 73.1 %. The maximum temperature of degradation (DTGmax) recorded for the chitin was 341 A degrees C and was 265 A degrees C for chitosan. The crystalline index (CrI) value of the chitin was 52 %, while it was 41 % for the chitosan. Examination by SEM revealed that the surface morphologies of the chitin and chitosan were formed of nanofibre structures. The FTIR examination identified it as the alpha form of chitin. As F. pinicola is widespread, abundant and has a high chitin and chitosan content, it may be used as an alternative chitin and chitosan source.