• Snehal Balbudhe
• Shriya Jaiswal
• Ajimbeg Mirza

Chitin is most important natural polysaccharides found in shells of crab, prawns and other crustaceans after cellulose. However, it is not widely utilized for industrial application till now as it is insoluble in many solvents, relatively difficult to isolate from natural sources in pristine form and to prepare in a reproducible way under good economic condition. By treating these chitin shells of shrimp and other crustaceans, chitosan is prepared. Present study was undertaken to extract chitin from waste fish scales and prepare chitosan by the sequence of chemical processes involving demineralization, deproteinization and deacetylation. Analysis and characterization of chitosan was done by FTIR and SEM. Further chitosan gel was obtained from this prepared chitosan. The successful formation of gel was confirmed through various characterization techniques like FTIR, SEM, Thermal Analysis and Textural Analysis. Chitosan gel improved the water-holding properties of soils hence making efficient use of water in agriculture. It was found that the gel improves soil permeability, reduce the need for irrigation and improve plant growth.

Chitin, Chitosan gel, Agriculture, Deacetylation, Demineralization.

"Extraction of Chitosan and Preparation of Hydrogel and its Application in Agriculture. ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no.368-373, April-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904P58.pdf

"Extraction of Chitosan and Preparation of Hydrogel and its Application in Agriculture. ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no. pp368-373, April-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904P58.pdf