Microorganism, organic process waste

Slurry-phase bioremediation is typically more rapid than other types of bioremediation since contaminants are solubilized in a slnrry, making them more readily available to microorganisms. The process is enhanced by providing the microorganisms with appropriate nutrients and environmental conditions to optimize the reaction rate. Bioremediation can degrade organic compounds to carbon dioxide, water, and other prodncts leaving little or no residual waste from the treatment process. 

Currently, commercial chitin and chitosan are extracted from industrial shellfish processing wastes (shrimp, crab, lobster). The seasonal character of those raw materials and the variability of the composition of the organisms make the process of chitin extraction rather expensive with low reprodudbillty. Moreover, they are subjected to environmental variations that impact on the products supply and quality [14,40,116]. Chitin is extracted from crustacean shells by the use of strong adds and/or bases that can cause deacetylation and depolymerization of chitin [119]. Alternative methods include the use of enzymes or proteolytic microorganisms (e.g.. Pseudomonas malto-philia, Bacillus subtilis. Streptococcus faecium, Aspergillus oryzae) that hydrolyze shellfish proteins and leave the associated chitin intact [119]. 

Composting is the process of aerobic thermophilic decomposition of organic wastes to a relatively stable humus. Decomposition results from the biological activity of microorganisms which exist in the waste. 

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