Synthesis and Characteristics of Chitosan from Haruan (Channa striata) Fish Scales

Background: Haruan fish is one of the fisheries production which is quite popular in South Kalimantan. The body parts of the fish that usually become waste are scales. The lack of management of these wastes raises various issues in the environmental field that can extend to social and health problems, whereas fish scales contain chitin which can be synthesized into chitosan which is useful in the biomedical field. However, chitosan scales (Channa striata) have never been used optimally because there are no data available regarding the content of chitosan scales. Purpose:: The purpose of this study is to identify and know the characteristics of chitosan contained in the scales of haruan (Channa striata). Methods and materials: This research used a descriptive observational method by conducting quantitative analysis to determine physical characteristics (yield, moisture content, ash content, protein content, fat content, fiber content, carbohydrate content), chemical characteristics (pH and degree deacetylation), as well as the morphological description of chitosan powder with SEM. Results: Physical characteristics of chitosan from haruan scales were yield of 24.10%, moisture content of 4.92%, ash content of 0.45%, protein content of 0.17%, fat content of 0.66%, fiber content of 0,68%, carbohydrate content of 0,11%, and dissolve in 1% acetic acid. The chemical characteristics of chitosan from haruan fish scales are pH 10,16 and deacetylation degree (DD) of 85.25%. Morphological description of haruan chitosan fishscales in the form of many layers with structures that are almost spherical, porous, fibrous, broken, and irregular. Conclusion: In this study it has been proven that chitosan scales from haruan fish (Channa striata) have physical, chemical, and also characteristic morphology.