Chitin metal ions, interaction with

Non-covalent interactions between carbohydrate chains can be very powerful, as in the hydrogen-bonded structures of cellulose and chitin, and this is especially true if the bonds have a polar character and are in a hydro-phobic environment. Likewise, saccharide chains may interact through coordination of metal ions for example, the hydroxyl group—calcium ion interaction can be strong if steric factors favour it. Carbohydrates may also interfere dramatically with the structure of water, but all of these fascinating possibilities do not carry clear biosynthetic implications and so must lie largely outside the scope of this chapter. 

Shimizu, Y, Kono, K., Kim, I.S., and Takagishi, T. 1995. Effects of added metal-ions on the interaction of chitin and partially deacetylated chitin with an azo-dye carrying hydroxyl-groups. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 55 255-261. 

The interaction of silver and copper ions with chitin dimers was modeled using quantum chemistry within the DFT framework. A variation of parameters of hydrogen bonds depending on the presence of different metal atoms was obtained. This variation was compared with the results of in vitro study of antifungal activity of corresponding metal ions. 

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