The Most Valuable Derivative of Chitin

Nayak Research Foundation, Neelachal Bhavan, Bidyadharpur, Odisha, India 

Keywords Chitosan, modification of chitosan, biomedical applications 

Susheel Kalia and Luc Averous (eds.) Biopolymeis Biomedical and Environmental Applications, (129-166) Scrivener Publishing LLC 

The main functions played by polysaccharides in Nature are either storage or structural functions. By far the most common storage polysaccharide in plants is starch, which exists in two forms a- amylose and amylopectin [6]. 

Structural polysaccharides exhibit properties that are dramatically different from those of the storage polysaccharides, even though the compositions of these two classes are similar. The structural polysaccharide cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer in the world. Found in the cell walls of nearly aU plants, included marine algae, cellulose is one of the principal components, providing physical structure and strength [1]. 

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Environmental requirements are assuming great importance, since there is an increased interest in the industrial use of renewable resources such as starch and chitin. Considerable efforts are now being made in the research and development of polysaccharide derivatives as the basic materials for new applications. In particular, the increasing cost of conventional adsorbents undoubtedly makes chitin and chitosan-based materials one of the most attractive biosorbent for wastewater treatment. Chitin and chitosan biopolymers have demonstrated outstanding removal capabilities for certain pollutants such as dyes and metal ions as compared to other low-cost sorbents and commercial-activated carbons. Biopolymer adsorbents are efficient and can be used for the decontamination of effluents (removal of pollutants) and for separation processes (recovery of valuable metals). 

The rich proteins from shrimp and crab are a positive notion nowadays for the supplementing of high ranked nutrition for many of the patients of nutrition depletion. The collagen and other protein disorders can be overcome by the intake of these crustaceans regularly. However, the financial limitations and the inadequacy of fishing profound disturbances due to the human population and pollution many of the developing nations are underutilize these animals. In addition, chitin and its derivatives are vastly known for their biomedical importance however, the utilization of the crustacean foods is restricted mostly to Asian countries, and many of the developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries are henceforth advised well for the proper implementation of these medicinally valuable resources. 

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