Characterization of Chitin

Aranaz I, Mengibar M, Harris R et al (2009) Functional characterization of chitin and chitosan. Curr Chem Biol 3 203-230... 

Two tests based on detection of chitosan sulfonate, namely, the x-ray method and specific enzymolysis, are used in the characterization of chitin, and these have been evaluated in a detailed fashion by Foster and Webber, and by Brimacombe and Webber. Another (less reliable) method involves isolation or chromatographic detection - of the 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose formed on acid hydrolysis of suspected chitin. 

Nwe N, Stevens WF, Tokura S, Tamura H (2008) Characterization of chitin and chitosan-glucan complex extracted from cell wall of fungus Gongronella butleri USDB 0201 by enzymatic method. Enzyme Microbial Technol 42 242-251... 

Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan for Medicinal Applications (Medical Devices)... 

It is necessary to prepare several tests, grouped in preliminary, conhrmatory and other tests, for characterization of chitin and chitosan used for manufacturing of medical devices [80]. European Pharmacopoeia as well as requirements of ISO... 

Aranaz, I., Mengibar, M., Harris, R., Panos, I., Miralles, B., Acosta, N., Galed, G., Heras, A. Functional characterization of chitin and chitosan. Curr. Chem. Biol. 3, 203-230 (2009a)... 

Wongpanit, P., SanchavanaMt, N., Pavasant, P., Bunapraseit, T., Tabata, Y., Rujiravanit, R. Characterization of Chitin Whisker-ReinfOTced Silk Fibroin Nanocomposite Sponges Eur. Polym. J. 43, 4123-4135 (2007)... 

Yen, M., Yang, J., Mau, J. Physicochemical characterization of chitin and chitosan from crab shells Carbohydr. Polym. 75, 15-21 (2009)... 

This chapter focuses on the use of nanotechnology in the development of cellulose and chitin nanoctystals and their novel biomedical applications. It consists of four main sections. The first section is a brief introduction. The second section focuses on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and their preparation procedure, physical properties, and surface modifications. Cationic modification of CNCs is also presented to produce positively charged CNCs. Various bioapplications of CNCs in bionanocomposites, drug delivery, and biosensors are discussed as well. The third section focuses on chitin nanoctystals (CHNCs). Except for a short introduction on chitin and its structure, the methods of isolation and characterization of chitin are discussed and the surface modifications and properties of CHNCs are summarized. The applications of CHNCs as reinforcing fillers in nanocomposites and several biomedical applications are discussed. The fourth section is a summary and perspective highlighting the future directions on the application of these natural nanoctystals in various key industries related to biomedicine. 

Acosta N., Jimenez C., Borau V., Hetas A., Extraction and characterization of chitin from crustaceans. Biomass Bioenergy, 5,1993,145-153. 

Abdou, E.S., Nagy, K.S.A., and Elsabee, M.Z. 2008. Extraction and characterization of chitin and chitosan from local sources. Bioresour Technol. 99 1359-1367. 

No, H.K. and Meyers, S P. 1995. Preparation and characterization of chitin and chitosan—A review. J Aquat Food Prod Technol. 4 27-52. 

Kafetzopoulos, D., Martinou, A., and V. Bouriotis. 1993. Bioconversion of chitin to chitosan Purification and characterization of chitin deacetylase from Mucor rouxii. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 90 2564-2568. 

Majtan, J., Bilikova, K., Markovic, O. et al. 2007. Isolation and characterization of chitin from bumblebee Bombus terrestris). Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 40 237-241. 

Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan Films Prepared by Several Kinds... 

Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan-Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Blend Films.102... 

Miyashita, Y, Yamada, Y, Kimura, N., Nishio, Y, and Suzuki, H. 1995. Preparation and miscibility characterization of chitin/poly(A-vinyl pyrrolidone) blends. SEN-IGAKKAISHI51 396-399. 

The Use of Various Types of NMR and IR Spectroscopy for Structural Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan... 

IR and NMR spectroscopy are relatively easy-to-apply for a qnaUtative and comparative evaln-ation of the chemical structure and the DA determination. These techniques are nondestructive methods and do not need initial treatment such as hydrolysis, pyrolysis, and derivatization. This chapter describes the structural characterization of chitin and chitosan (as oligomers and polymers) by IR, near-IR, and various types of NMR spectroscopy techniques. This study provides information on (1) composition, sequence, and type of residues and (2) any structural changes occurring in the molecules as a result of different processes (degradation, deacetylation, and acetylation). The influences of acids, alkali, moisture, and impurities on the NMR and IR spectra of the original molecules will be also discussed. 

There is no doubt that the characterization of chitin and chitosan materials has been the subject of much work and debate. Molecular weight and the degree of acetylation (D.A.) or deacetylation (D.D.) remain the primary properties of interest. Residual protein, other impurities and ash content are some of the other information sought. The use of GPC and intrinsic viscosity measurements for molecular weights persist, while NMR, IR, UV, and elemental analysis have all been used to report on the D.A. and D.D. (Kasaai 2009). It is now clear that where possible, NMR is the method of choice to evaluate D.A. and D.D., while IR, UV, and elemental analysis are still used where the sample mode does not permit easy access for NMR elucidation. 

R172 M. R. Kasaai, The Use of Various Types of NMR and IR Spectroscopy for Structural Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan , in Chitin, Chitosan, Oligosaccharides and Their Derivatives Biological Activities and Applications , ed. S.-K. Kim, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 2011, p. 149. 

Sriupayo, J., Supaphol, P., Blackwell, J., and Rujiravanit, R. 2005. Preparation and characterization of chitin whisker-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite films with or without heat treatment. Polymers 46 5637-5644. 

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