<![CDATA[Amusium pleuronectes shell waste was investigated as a source of chitosan for a topical hydrogel with activity against Malassezia furfur. Chitosan was isolated by deproteinization, demineralization, depigmentation, and alkaline deacetylation, characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and incorporated into hydrogels at nominal concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6%, with a chitosan-free base as control. Physical properties were assessed over 21 days, and antifungal activity was evaluated by agar-well diffusion. The recovered material represented 24.30% of the initial shell mass, and its estimated degree of deacetylation was approximately 77%. All formulations retained their appearance without visible phase separation. Across formulations and observation times, pH ranged from 4.55 to 6.09, spread diameter from 5.1 to 5.8 cm, adhesion from 1.11 to 1.61 s, and apparent viscosity from 31,310 to 38,180 cP; pH, adhesion, and viscosity declined during storage. Mean inhibition zones were 11.57 ± 0.21, 13.33 ± 0.15, and 15.00 ± 0.10 mm for the 2%, 4%, and 6% formulations, respectively (three readings each). The base produced no inhibition halo, whereas the reported ketoconazole comparator value was 21.3 mm. The 6% formulation showed the greatest in vitro inhibition among the chitosan hydrogels, while the changes in physical properties indicate a need for further formulation optimization.]]>
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