Production and Application of Chitosan to Reduce Organic and Heavy Metal Content (Pb and Cd) on the Aquaculture Media

Abstract

Abstract. Chitosan has an amine and hydroxyl groups which can act as coagulants to bind organic and heavy metals from industrial waste into floc forms that are very easily separated from their original media. Shrimp and crab shells waste are used as the raw material for chitosan production, which is obtained from the shrimp processing unit (cold storage) in Pati, Central Java. This research aims to increase the economic value of fishery waste. The principle of extraction for shrimp and crab shells is relatively the same both in physical and chemical treatment. The production process of chitosan is drying to a water content of 10-13%, demineralization, deproteination and deacetylation. The yield in this activity were 14.3% for shrimp shell and 20% for crab shell. The decrease of dissolved organic matter on aquaculture media (water pond) after application of chitosan at 100 mg/L is to 18%. The decrease of heavy metals in aquaculture media was reduced by 20% and 18% for each Cd and Pb metal respectively in the application of 50 mg/L chitosan. In the application of 100 mg/L, the decrease in heavy metal content of Cd and Pb was respectively 29% and 35%. Meanwhile, the decrease in Cd and Pb heavy metal content in the aquaculture media with the application of 200 mg/L chitosan was obtained by 46% and 37%.