Nematocidally active chitin-protein complex

Claim 1

A composition of matter comprising a nematocidally active chitin-protein complex derived from crustacean shell waste material and consisting essentially of a water-insoluble demineralized chitin component complexed with a water-insoluble protein component, said complex being essentially free of low molecular weight peptides, amino acids, and calcium chloride brine formed by acid hydrolysis of such waste material, said complex characterized by: (a) a Lowry protein content of at least about 50% by weight, an ash content of not more than about 15% by weight, and a moisture content of less than about 10% by weight, based on the total composition; (b) having solubility properties similar to those of chitin in being insoluble in neutral dilute acid solutions but solubilized with significant decomposition of the protein component in concentrated mineral salts; (c) having an IR spectrum similar to that of chitin but with a characteristic extra adsorption band at 1738 cm -1 ; (d) the water-insoluble, demineralized chitin component having an acetyl content substantially identical to that of chitin as shown by a characteristic infrared spectrum adsorption band at 1550 cm -1 , but which is substantially free of carbonates and contains not more than about 15% of the ash content of chitin; (e) the water-insoluble protein component having an amino acid composition substantially identical to that of untreated crustacean shell waste material, a molecular weight primarily in the range of 10 to 50 kdal as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, and being essentially insoluble in common protein solvents; and (f) said complex being in the form of dry particles having a diameter of less than about 0.5 mm.