Chitin fibres from

Figure 19.7 Molecular correspondence of the inorganic-organic interface in the nacreous shell layer of Nautilus repertus. (a) Structural relationships between protein sheets, aragonite crystals and chitin fibres, (b) Possible complementarity of Ca binding. (From Mann et al., 1989. Reproduced with permission from John Wiley Sons., Inc.)...

Hirano, S., Nakahira, T, Nakagawa, M. tind Kim, S.K. (1999) The preparation and applications of functional fibres from crab shell chitin. Journal of Biotechnology, 70,373-377. 

Fibrous fillers for biomedical PLA-based FRPs include carbon and inorganic fibres [406], PLLA (i.e. self-reinforcement) [407,408], poly(p-dioxane) fibre [409], chitin [410], biodegradable fibre (e.g. bioactive glass, chitosan fibre, polyester amides) [411], hydroxyapatite fibre [412], hydroxyapatite whiskers [413], halloysite (Al2Si205(0H)4) nanotubes [414] and the fibre from different tissue types of Picea sitchensis [415],... 

The nonwoven fabric made from chitin fibres and atelocollagen filaments can be used as an artificial skin for treating bum wounds (Anandjiwala, 2006 Yoshito, 1989). A nonwoven fabric of regenerated collagen has been commercialized for wound covering. Chitosan fibres are of particular interest due to their large surface... 

Industrial separation membranes and ion-exchange resins can be made from chitin, especially for water purification. Chitin is also used industrially as an additive to thicken and stabilize foods and pharmaceuticals. Since it can be shaped into fibres, the textile industry has used chitin, especially for socks, as it is claimed that chitin fabrics are naturally antibacterial and antiodour (www.solstitch.net). Chitin also acts as a binder in dyes, fabrics and adhesives. Some processes to size and strengthen paper employ chitin. 

Fibres were first developed by Austin [60] and then by Hirano [61-63] in solvents mentioned previously, especially the DMAc/LiCl system. The fibres were obtained by wet-spinning [63]. A recent review presents the different fibres obtained from chitin solution and some of their physical properties [27]. In addition, chitin solutions may be casted to obtain films [64,65] or regenerated under sponge or bead conformation in dependence of the use. Fibres were often proposed for textile applications [66-68]. 

Figure 17.4 Hierarchical structure of cellulose and chitin from molecules to macroscopic fibres.

Crab shell fibre - Chitosan or Chitin as it is also known, is an amazing fibre made from discarded crab shells. This is most often made into medical bandages. This fibre helps the healing process and helps avoid the formation of scar tissue. 

Chitin (poly-A-acetyl-D-glucosamine, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1,4-P-D-glucan) is one of the three most abundant polysaccharides (along with starch and cellulose) and is extracted from shells of crustaceans and cell walls of fungi. Chitosan is produced by deacetylation of chitin and can be spun into fibres, cast into films, or precipitated in a variety of micro-morphologies. Major applications are in biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, metal ion sequestration, agriculture and the food industry. ... 

A wide range of polymers from solution, sol-gel suspension, or melt can be electrospun into nanofibres. To date, over 200 types of various materials including natural polymers, synthetic polymers and hybrid blends have been used to obtain electrospun fibres [36]. Due to the practicality, mouldability, flexibility, lightness, durability and chemical and physicochemical stability, natural polymers are more preferable to synthetic polymers. Therefore, four major classes of biopolymers including proteins, polysaccharides, deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) and lipids as well as their derivatives have been fabricated into electrospun scaffolds [37, 38], The most popular natural polymers include chitosan, collagen, gelatin, casein, hyaluronic acids, silk protein, chitin and fibrinogen [37-43]. 

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