초록
<P>Biomass fractionation is a prerequisite for almost any biorefinery process. Yet, a cost-effective and environmentally benign approach to separate biomass feedstock into valuable fractions remain a challenge. Herein we introduce a new fractionation method to extract high value chitin from crustacean shell (<I>e.g.,</I> shrimp shell) using hot water for deproteinization and carbonic acid for demineralization (termed as the HOW-CA process). This method features high deproteinization and demineralization efficiencies (>90%), and the whole process is accomplished within hours. The desired final product chitin exhibits a high purity. This work addresses the major problems associated with the current industrial practice including the employment of corrosive reagents, the destructive removal of a useful component, and the generation of a large amount of waste. Economic and life-cycle analyses imply that the HOW-CA process is superior to the conventional method, offering both economic and environmental benefits.</P><P>The HOW-CA process for shrimp shell fractionation using only H<SUB>2</SUB>O and CO<SUB>2</SUB> as reagents is developed.</P><BR>[FIG OMISSION]</BR>