Abstract

EXTRACTION, PRELIMINARY CHEMICAL SCREENING AND CHARECTERISATION OF PORTUNUS SANGUINOLENTUS EXOSKELETON

*Kannaki K. S. and Sujesh M.

Abstract

Crustaceans make up a large group of arthropods which include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, krill etc. The aim of this work was to carry out the preliminary chemical screening of various extracts of Portunus sanguinolentus (Three spotted swimming crab) exoskeleton for identification of chemical constituents and to carry out the physicochemical studies so as to determine the level of minerals, moisture content, extractive value and to analyze the presence of active constituents in extract due to which they possess different pharmacological activities and also with a goal of increasing awareness of the beneficial effects of crab exoskeleton. Extracts of exoskeleton were prepared using chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol by simple maceration. Then the chemical analysis of these extracts were carried out and found the presence of beta carotenoids, non reducing sugar, proteins, minerals etc. Further chromatographic and spectrometric studies of these extracts were performed and confirmed the presence of these chemical constituents.

Keywords: Portunus sanguinolentus, Marine sources, physicochemical studies, exoskeleton.