Chitin

About: Chitin is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6590 publications have been published within this topic receiving 253993 citations.

Evidence for Covalent Linkages between Chitin and β-Glucan in a Fungal Wall

Abstract: SUMMARY: Covalent linkages between chitin and β-glucan in the wall of Schizophyllum commune were indicated by the markedly changed solubility characteristics of the glucan when chitin was specifically removed either (i) by enzymic digestion with purified chitinase or (ii) by first deacetylating the chitin with alkali followed by depolymerization of the deacetylated chitin with nitrous acid. After depolymerization of the chitin, two types of β-glucans could be isolated: one was water-soluble and highly branched, the other was alkali-soluble with branches only one glucose unit long. Lysine (50%) and citrulline (20%) were the major amino acids in the R-glucan/chitin complex. By digesting 90% of the β-glucan in the R-glucan/chitin complex with (1→3)-β-glucanase, a residue was obtained which, on hydrolysis with chitinase, yielded N-acetylglucosamine and a compound containing (N-acetyl)-glucosamine, lysine and/or citrulline. A model is proposed for the R-glucan/chitin complex in which amino acids, especially lysine and citrulline, are involved in the linkages between glucan and chitin.

Preparation and biomedical applications of chitin and chitosan nanofibers.

Abstract: Chitin (β-(1-4)-poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) is widely distributed in nature and is the second most abundant polysaccharide after cellulose. Chitin occurs in nature as ordered macrofibrils. It is the major structural component in the exoskeleton of crab and shrimp shells and the cell wall of fungi and yeast. As chitin is not readily dissolved in common solvents, it is often converted to its more deacetylated derivative, chitosan. Chitin, chitosan, and its derivatives are widely used in tissue engineering, wound healing, and as functional foods. Recently, easy methods for the preparation of chitin and chitosan nanofibers have been developed, and studies on biomedical applications of chitin and chitosan nanofibers are ongoing. Chitin and chitosan nanofibers are considered to have great potential for various biomedical applications, because they have several useful properties such as high specific surface area and high porosity. This review summarizes methods for the preparation of chitin and chitosan nanofibers. Further, biomedical applications of chitin and chitosan nanofibers in (i) tissue engineering, (ii) wound dressing, (iii) cosmetic and skin health, (iv) stem cell technology, (v) anti-cancer treatments and drug delivery, (vi) anti-inflammatory treatments, and (vii) obesity treatment are summarized. Many studies indicate that chitin and chitosan nanofibers are suitable materials for various biomedical applications.

Chitin and chitosan: biopolymers for wound management

Abstract: Chitin and chitosan are biopolymers with excellent bioactive properties, such as biodegradability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, haemostatic activity and antimicrobial activity. A wide variety of biomedical applications for chitin and chitin derivatives have been reported, including wound-healing applications. They are reported to promote rapid dermal regeneration and accelerate wound healing. A number of dressing materials based on chitin and chitosan have been developed for the treatment of wounds. Chitin and chitosan with beneficial intrinsic properties and high potential for wound healing are attractive biopolymers for wound management. This review presents an overview of properties, biomedical applications and the role of these biopolymers in wound care.