Isolation and Structure Analysis of Chitin Obtained from Different Developmental Stages of the Mulberry Silkworm ( Bombyx mori )

Chitin, a ubiquitous biopolymer, holds paramount scientific and economic significance. Historically, it has been primarily isolated from marine crustaceans. However, the surge in demand for chitin and the burgeoning interest in biopolymers have necessitated the exploration of alternative sources. Among these methods, the mulberry silkworm ( ) has emerged as a particularly intriguing prospect. To isolate chitin from , a chemical extraction methodology was employed. This process involved a series of meticulously orchestrated steps, including Folch extraction, demineralization, deproteinization, and decolorization. The resultant chitin was subjected to comprehensive analysis utilizing techniques such as attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The obtained results allow us to conclude that the represents an attractive alternative source of α-chitin.