Title: Waste to wealth and health: bio-recovery and applications of chitin and its derivatives

Authors: Lakshmi Machineni

Addresses: Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India

Abstract: The search for new molecules that are useful for human health and eco-friendly has led to the study of molecules derived from plants, animals and microorganisms. Chitin is the second most ubiquitous natural polysaccharide after cellulose on the Earth, comprising repeating units of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. However, because chitin in its natural form has high crystallinity and low solubility, its applications are limited. Modified chitin can be converted into chitooligosaccharides with varied degree of polymerisation by either chemical or enzymatic methods. Even though this review has emphasised on the different chitin extraction methods and their applications, the biological methods discussed in detail could suggest new understanding about non-toxic chitin extraction methods. In addition, an attempt has been made to highlight the recent research on their commercial applications.

Keywords: chitin; chitosan; bio-deproteinisation; bio-demineralisation; chitooligosaccharides; CHOS; biofilm.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2023.130779

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2023 Vol.26 No.3/4/5, pp.341 - 359

Received: 17 Sep 2019
Accepted: 02 Oct 2020
Published online: 07 May 2023 *

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