Also: chitin, chitosan (deacetylated chitin)
Chitin is the tough polysaccharide in crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. Chitosan is a chemically modified form that dissolves in mild acids, which makes it easier to cast into films, coatings and gels. Entries summarise what studies reported; biomedical entries are descriptions of research, not medical advice.
Readiness: lab lab studies · prototype demonstrated objects · commercial products or buildings in real use · review summaries of other studies.
A review of research on chitin- and chitosan-based materials studied for wound dressings (descriptive only).
Built / tested: dressing materials
As reported in: Jayakumar, Prabaharan, Sudheesh Kumar et al. (2011). Biomaterials based on chitin and chitosan in wound dressing applications. Biotechnology Advances. doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.01.005
Abstract only
Developed a plasticised chitin bioplastic film described as transparent, grease-resistant and biodegradable.
Built / tested: bioplastic films
As reported in: Heredia-Guerrero, Benítez, Porras-Vázquez et al. (2023). Plasticized, greaseproof chitin bioplastics with high transparency and biodegradability. Food Hydrocolloids. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.109072
Tested an edible chitosan coating on cut mango and tracked quality during storage.
Built / tested: coated fruit samples
As reported in: Chien, Sheu, Yang (2007). Effects of edible chitosan coating on quality and shelf life of sliced mango fruit. Journal of Food Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2005.09.022
Abstract only
Describes a way to separate crab-shell chitin into nanofibres of consistent width.
Built / tested: chitin nanofibres
As reported in: Ifuku, Nogi, Abe et al. (2009). Preparation of Chitin Nanofibers with a Uniform Width as α-Chitin from Crab Shells. Biomacromolecules. doi:10.1021/bm900163d
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Reports electrospinning chitin into nanofibres and then converting them to chitosan.
Built / tested: electrospun fibre mats
As reported in: Min, Lee, Lim et al. (2004). Chitin and chitosan nanofibers: electrospinning of chitin and deacetylation of chitin nanofibers. Polymer. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2004.08.048
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A review of how chitosan-based films are being developed as food packaging layers.
Built / tested: packaging films
As reported in: Wang, Qian, Ding (2018). Emerging Chitosan-Based Films for Food Packaging Applications. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04528
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Chitosan/PVA films containing red-cabbage pigment were studied as indicators that change colour with time and temperature exposure.
Built / tested: indicator films
As reported in: Pereira, de Arruda, Stefani (2015). Active chitosan/PVA films with anthocyanins from Brassica oleraceae (Red Cabbage) as Time–Temperature Indicators for application in intelligent food packaging. Food Hydrocolloids. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2014.05.014
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Studied operating settings for a packed column of chitosan material used to remove arsenate from water.
Built / tested: fixed-bed adsorption columns
As reported in: Brion-Roby, Gagnon, Deschênes et al. (2018). Investigation of fixed bed adsorption column operation parameters using a chitosan material for treatment of arsenate contaminated water. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2017.12.032
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A review of chitosan nanocomposites used in continuous-flow adsorption columns for water treatment.
As reported in: Leudjo Taka, Klink, Yangkou Mbianda et al. (2021). Chitosan nanocomposites for water treatment by fixed-bed continuous flow column adsorption: A review. Carbohydrate Polymers. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117398
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