- Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide composed of randomly distributed ß-(1-4)-linked D-glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (acetylated unit). It has a number of commercial and possible biomedical uses. Chitosan is produced commercially by deacetylation of chitin , which is the structural element in the exoskeleton of crustaceans (crabs, shrimp, etc.). The degree of deacetylation (%DA) can be determined by NMR spectroscopy, and the %DA in commercial chitosans is in the range 60-100 %.
- Chitosan is extracted from the shells of crustaceans, such as shrimp and crab.It is formed through a process of deacylation of the Chitin molecule. Chitin/Chitosan is also a constituent part of cell walls of parasitic fungi.Chitosan is bioadhesive and readily binds to negatively charged surfaces such as mucosal membranes. Chitosan enhances the transport of polar drugs across epithelial surfaces, and is biocompatible and biodegradable. Purified qualities of chitosans are available for biomedical applications.
- Chitosan and its derivatives such as trimethylchitosan (where the amino group has been trimethylated) have been used in non-viral gene delivery. Trimethylchitosan, or quaternised chitosan, has been shown to transfect breast cancer cells; with increased degree of trimethylation increasing the cytotoxicity and at approximately 50% trimethylation the derivative is the most efficient at gene delivery.
- Chitosan is used primarily as a plant growth enhancer, and as a substance that boosts the ability of plants to defend against fungal infections. It is approved for use outdoors and indoors on many plants grown commercially and by consumers. The active ingredient is found in the shells of crustaceans, such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, and in certain other organisms.
- Chitosan can also be used in water processing engineering as a part of a filtration process. It is also useful in other filtration situations, where one may need to remove suspended particles from a liquid. Chitosan, in combination with bentonite, gelatin, silica gel, isinglass, or other fining agents is used to clarify wine, mead, and beer.
- Chitosan's properties allow it to rapidly clot blood, and has recently gained approval in the USA for use in bandages. The bandages include a layer of carefully produced chitosan that, when applied to a wound, causes rapid clotting, stopping the bleeding. Chitosan is hypoallergenic, and has natural anti-bacterial properties, further supporting its use in field bandages.
- Like dietary fiber, chitosan is not digestible but may have beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Chitosan appears to reduce the absorption of bile acids or cholesterol; either of these effects may cause a lowering of blood cholesterol.A small human study found that taking 3-6 grams per day of chitosan for two weeks reduced indicators of putrefaction in the intestines,8 a change that might help prevent diseases such as colon cancer.
- Chitosan is a positively charged lipophilic fiber derived from shellfish. It binds to negatively charged fats during digestion and reduces their absorption. Chitosan is available generically from numerous manufacturers.
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General Information - Chitosan
- Chitosan Information
- History of Chitin
- Chitin, Chitosan and Derivatives
- Natural Product for the 21st Century
Production - Production of Two Chitosanases from a Chitosan-Assimilating Bacterium
- Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan
- Fungal chitosan production and its characterization
- Chitosan Manufacturing Process
- Fish Production and Processing
Functions and Properties - Structural and Functional Definition of the Human Chitinase Chitin-binding Domain
- An Enzymic method for the determination of chitin and chitosan in fungal cell walls
- Effect of Chitosan and its Derivatives on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Paper Sheets
- Optical Properties of Chitosan in Aqueous Solution
- Rheological Properties of Chitosan Solutions
- Mechanism of Action
- Fundamental Properties
Company Profiles - Hawaii Chitopure
- KitoZyme
- NovaMatrix
- Seafresh Industry Public Company Limited
- Wellable Group
- Xianju Tengwang Chitosan Factory
- HaloSource
- Maypro
Patent - Chitosans
- Chitosan Compositions
- Chitosan as a Contraceptive
- Use of Chitosan in Corrugating Medium
- Chitosan Optical Materials
- Process of Preparing Chitosan Particles
- Chitosan Preparation
- Chitosan and Method of Preparing Chitosan
- Process for Preparing a Sulfonated Chitosan
- Chitosan Production
Technology - Perm Selective Chitosan Alginate Hybrid Microcapsules for Enzyme Immobilization Technology
- Shrimp-based Bandages Save Lives
- Filleting and freezing of fish
- BST-Gel™ Platform Technology
- Replacing Cells to Fight Disease
- “Artificial” Skin from Fish Membrane
- Wyatt Technology
Products - LifeExtension Chitosan
- Chitosan Diet Pill
- Biotrim
- Chitosan Products
- FAT Eliminator
- Fat Blocker Chitosan Complex
- Flocculation Chitosan
- Featured Chitosan Product
- Stacker
- Super Chitosan 450 mg
- Chitosan Rx Ultra
- Fat Zapper
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Consultants - Susan Elizabeth Murcott
- The Cecon Group Inc
- Dr. H. S.Chhatpar
- Intota
- Dr Graham Moore
- Ana Paula Pêgo
Applications - Health and Nutritional Uses of Chitosan
- Biopolymer Composite of Chitosan and Methyl Methacrylate for Medical Applications
- Bioconversion of shellfish chitin wastes for the production of Bacillus subtilis
- Isolation and some Applications of Fungal Chitin
- Chitosan Applications
- Dalwoo Chitosan Application
- Revolutionizing Weight Loss
Market and Report - Chitosan Microcapsules get Bioavailability Boost
- Primex Increases Chitosan Presence
- Chitosan Complex Superior to Gum Arabic for Citrus Flavour Stabilisation
- Dissolved Air Flotation Treatment of Gulf Shrimp Cannery Wastewater
- Frictional Behaviour of Chitosan Coated Fabrics
- Fisheries for the Tenth five Year Plan
- Development of Small Scale Fisheries
- Fisheries for the Eleventh five Year Plan
- Annual Historical Report
- Summary of Data for Chemical Selection
- Minister announces new licences for the processing of shellfish waste
- History of chitin and chitosan investigations in Russia
Project - Chitosan Derived Micorparticulate Systems for Nasal Delivery of Macromolecular Drugs
- Plasmochemical preparation of chitosan-based adsorbtion materials
- Model Project on Chitosan Preparation
- New skin out of old shells
- Regulation of Molecular Weight of Chitosan
- Production of Chitosans from Shrimp Shells for Applications in Plant Disease Protection
Manufacturers, Suppliers and Buyers - Egyptian Exporter
- Suppliers Directory
- Exporters of Chitosan
- Chitosan Suppliers
- Selling Leads of Chitosan
- Carboxymethyl Chitosan Manufacturers
- China Suppliers
- Chitosan Manufacturers
- Companies/Manufacturers
- Trading Companies
- Bestchitosan.com
- SSSBiotic
- Chitosan Buyers List
Guides - Guide for Process Water Management at Fish Processing Plants
- Frequently Asked Questions about Chitosan
- Chitosan Guides
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- Weight Management Guide
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