Applications of Chitin-Based Materials

Chitin is also used as excipient and drug carrier under film, gel or powder forms for applications involving mucoadhesivity [84], A recent review describes the use of chitin and chitosan as biomaterials in different biomedical applications [85], Different applications of chitin and that of few chitin derivatives are described in a recent book devoted to chitosan [86]. 

Another interesting application is a composite material made of hydroxyapatite-chitin-chitosan as bone filling material for guided tissue regeneration, for treatment of periodontal bone defects it forms a self-hardening paste [87,88]. 

Chitin was used also to immobilize enzymes and whole cells. Enzyme immobilization was used for applications in food industries such as clarification of fruit juices and processing of milk with a- and p-amylases and invertase fixed on chitin [89]. Chitin is also used for the treatment of environmental pollutants [90,91], or in biosensors [92,93]. 

Chitin has been used in columns to isolate pure lectins and determine their structure [94], Chitin and 6-O-carboxymethylchitin activate peritoneal macrophages in vivo, suppress the growth of tumour cells in mice and stimulate nonspecific host resistance against Escherichia Coli infection [95]. Chitin is used for biological activity as mentioned previously oligomers were claimed as anticancer drug and the DP = 5 is active to control the photosynthesis of maize and soybean [96]. 

Regenerated chitin derivative fibres were used as binder in a paper-making process. N-iso-butyl chitin fibres were added at 10 % yield to reinforce the breaking strength of paper [97,98]. Chitin fibres and/or chitosan fibres with diameter 100 nm and an aspect ratio 5 were used in pneumatic tires and give a good abrasion resistance [99]. 

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