Advances in Chitin Science, Volume VI: Proceedings from the 5th International Conference of the European Chitin Society, Trondheim, Norway, June 26–28, 2002; K.M. Vårum, A. Domard, O. Smidsrød (Eds.); NTNU (), Trondheim, 2003, xii+350 pages, ISBN: 82-471-5901-5 (EURO90/USD90)
✍ Scribed by P.A. Sandford
- Book ID
- 104009700
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2004
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 52 KB
- Volume
- 56
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0144-8617
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✦ Synopsis
Chitin is the world's second most plentiful natural polymer, next to cellulose. Chitin is a polymer of 2-acetamido-2deoxy-D-glucopyranose units linked b-1,4. Chitin, like cellulose, is not readily solubilized in water and thereby its direct use is limited except for glucosamine production. However, chitosan, derived from chitin by (partial) chemical or enzymatic removal of the N-acetyl groups, is a copolymer of deacetylated (glucosamine) and acetylated (Nacetyl-glucosamine) sugar units. Chitosan's "free amino groups" bestow cationic properties that makes chitosan unique among natural biopolymers. Many of chitosan's functional properties are due its cationic nature. For example chitosan and its derivatives are being used in non-viral gene delivery by taking advantage of the ability of the natural polycation to complex DNA. Chitosan continues to be used as an effective flocculent for removal of impurities from drinking water and waste streams, and chitosan's ability to bind to negatively charged surfaces such as skin, hair, tissue, microbial surfaces is key to many useful applications.
This volume describes the recent advances in characterization, structure -function relationships, sources, functional properties and commercial applications of chitin and chitosan. It is divided into sections: Invited lectures (11), sources, production and biological aspects (4), chemical structure and modification (4), enzymatic modification (8), functional properties (8), applications (6) and poster presentations (51).
Chitin, the structural component in both crustacean shells and in the cell walls of many fungi, is in sufficient concentration to make commercial extraction feasible. Crustacean shells are in abundant supply as a by-product of the crab and shrimp packing industries and the discarded crustacean shells once an environmental liability, are now considered a valuable resource. An alternate source of raw material in development is the "spent" fungal mycelia used to produce alcohol, citric acid, etc. by fermentation. There is increased interest in using fermentation of fungi as commercial sources chitin and chitosan.
Commercial applications of these natural polymers are increasing with major producers located in Asia, North