New application areas for chitin and its derivatives have been extensively investigated and there is a solid, growing demand for new chitin sources. In this present study, chitin content of Daphnia magna resting egg (18-21%) was determined for the first time. FTIR, elemental analysis, TGA, XRD and SEM studies revealed the structural and thermal properties of extracted α-chitin. This study suggests that D. magna resting eggs can be exploited as an attractive alternative chitin source. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.