ABSTRACT
The production of chitin and carotenoids from shrimp biowaste by using natural probiotic has been studied. The fermentation studies were determined by varying inoculum levels from 1 to 10%, glucose concentration from 0 to 15% and incubation time 0 to 72 hours. The maximum decrease of pH 3.01 and an increase of total titrable acidity (TTA) 2.715 were obtained for incubation period of 72hours with 5% inoculum level and 15% glucose concentration. The effect of fermentation by natural probiotic on the production of chitin (as indicated by deproteinization and demineralization efficiency) and recovery of carotenoids were also studied. Deproteinization of 89% and demineralization of 69% were obtained by fermentation of shrimp biowaste with natural probiotic. The carotenoid and chitin recovery from shrimp biowaste was 72.6% and 5.65% respectively. As the process by using natural probiotic was found to be efficient, economical, it becomes an alternative method for hazardous chemical method used in extraction of chitin and carotenoids.