Evaluation and comparison of antimicrobial properties of chitin and chitosan extracted from different parts of blue swimming crab(Portunus segnis)exoskeleton from Banda Abbas region

Approximately 40-70% of crustaceans are caught into waste that about 20-30%of shells of them is chitin. Chitosan is derived from chitin has a variety of biological activity. In this study, samples of blue swimming crab in summer of 1393 from Bandar Abbas coastal water were captured. Chitin and chitosan from shells of crabs with standard methods extracted. The quantity and antimicrobial activity of chitin and chitosan extracted from different parts of crab P. segnis exoskeleton (carapace, claw, cephalotoraxand walking legs) were examined against 11 bacterial and 3 fungal strains. Results showed that the amount of chitin and chitosan in the walking legs were significantly (p< 0.05) higherthan other parts of exoskeleton. Chitosan showed slightly high antimicrobial activity than chitin extracted(p< 0./05). Gram negative bacteria were sensitive to chitin and chitosan as well as gram positive bacteria.Bacterial strains showed more sensitivity than fungi against chitin and chitosan extracts. Carapace and claw shell chitosan was more effective than those from cephalothorax and walking legs. The range of MIC and MBC varied between 125-1000 μg/ml and 500-1000 μg/ml, respectively. According to the results obtained Persian Gulf shellfish suitable for the chitin and chitosan production. Crustaceans of Persian Gulf can be used as a natural source for chitin and chitosan .production. Effect of these compounds on some pathogens required further investigation