3.7 Applications
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3.7.12 Cosmetics and Toiletries
Chitin is mainly applied in its deacetylated form, chitosan in cosmetics. The antimicrobial property of chitosan makes it useful as a cosmetic anti-acne product ingredient. Its barrier properties, water vapor permeability, make it a good protective barrier
to retain skin moisture. It is also used in oral care products as thickener and emulsifier.
Due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant property combined with its viscosity-enhancing
property, chitosan can play multiple roles in cosmetics and toiletries.
Glucosamine, the monomer of chitin, also finds application in cosmetics. Derivatives of glucosamine have been shown to reduce wrinkles, boost natural production
of hyaluronic acid, improve skin suppleness, moisture and rejuvenate overall skin
(Jacobs 2007).
3.7.13 Agrochemicals
In agriculture, chitin and its derivatives have found use in various aspects which
include: controlled fertilizer release excipients, protective seed coating (frost protection), stimulation of growth and aiding plant defense mechanism. This has both
economic and environmental impacts by improving crop yield and optimization of
land usage. It also adds nutrients to the soil in a sustainable way replacing the use of
energy-consuming agricultural practices.
3.7.14 Biodegradation of Chitin and Its Derivatives
In curbing, the pollution crisis caused by the inadequate dumping of synthetic plastics
which pose a serious hazard to aquatic life, research and industry has turned focus
on biodegradable plastics. The physical properties which are comparable to those
of non-biodegradable synthetic plastics are what make chitin attractive for use as a
bioplastic.
Some compounds such as minerals accumulate in nature because their production
rate is much higher than their degradation rate. Like many other biopolymers, chitin
does degrade because 10–100 billion tonnes of it is being produced annually (Beier
and Bertilsson 2014) yet there is no known accumulation of chitin anywhere in
nature. This means that biodegradation of chitin is happening at a considerable rate.
The microbial degradation of chitin by various microorganisms has been reported;
however, it is widely accepted that the predominant degradation of chitin is by bacteria
(Beier and Bertilsson 2014; Abd-Aziz et al. 2008).
The process of chitin degradation can occur via different pathways. Chitin degradation enzyme has been detected in various microorganisms including fungi, bacteria,
rotifers and some carnivorous plants and digestive tract of higher animals (Gooday
59
3.7.12 Cosmetics and Toiletries
Chitin is mainly applied in its deacetylated form, chitosan in cosmetics. The antimicrobial property of chitosan makes it useful as a cosmetic anti-acne product ingredient. Its barrier properties, water vapor permeability, make it a good protective barrier
to retain skin moisture. It is also used in oral care products as thickener and emulsifier.
Due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant property combined with its viscosity-enhancing
property, chitosan can play multiple roles in cosmetics and toiletries.
Glucosamine, the monomer of chitin, also finds application in cosmetics. Derivatives of glucosamine have been shown to reduce wrinkles, boost natural production
of hyaluronic acid, improve skin suppleness, moisture and rejuvenate overall skin
(Jacobs 2007).
3.7.13 Agrochemicals
In agriculture, chitin and its derivatives have found use in various aspects which
include: controlled fertilizer release excipients, protective seed coating (frost protection), stimulation of growth and aiding plant defense mechanism. This has both
economic and environmental impacts by improving crop yield and optimization of
land usage. It also adds nutrients to the soil in a sustainable way replacing the use of
energy-consuming agricultural practices.
3.7.14 Biodegradation of Chitin and Its Derivatives
In curbing, the pollution crisis caused by the inadequate dumping of synthetic plastics
which pose a serious hazard to aquatic life, research and industry has turned focus
on biodegradable plastics. The physical properties which are comparable to those
of non-biodegradable synthetic plastics are what make chitin attractive for use as a
bioplastic.
Some compounds such as minerals accumulate in nature because their production
rate is much higher than their degradation rate. Like many other biopolymers, chitin
does degrade because 10–100 billion tonnes of it is being produced annually (Beier
and Bertilsson 2014) yet there is no known accumulation of chitin anywhere in
nature. This means that biodegradation of chitin is happening at a considerable rate.
The microbial degradation of chitin by various microorganisms has been reported;
however, it is widely accepted that the predominant degradation of chitin is by bacteria
(Beier and Bertilsson 2014; Abd-Aziz et al. 2008).
The process of chitin degradation can occur via different pathways. Chitin degradation enzyme has been detected in various microorganisms including fungi, bacteria,
rotifers and some carnivorous plants and digestive tract of higher animals (Gooday