182
Chapter 9 · Carbohydrates from the Sea - Chitin, Chitosan and Algae
9
broken down by the body’s own enzymes,
the so-called lysozymes. Thus, chitin-based
threads are used as a degradable suture material, which does not have to be removed again
after the treatment.
5 In agriculture, for instance, chitin is used to
protect plants from pests or to support certain microorganisms in such a way that their
activity brings an advantage to the plant.
5 The affinity of chitin to heavy metals is
exploited in wastewater treatment. Chitin can
form so-called chelate complexes with them
(see . Fig. 9.8 for the chelation behavior of
chitosan). Chelate is derived from the Greek
word for crab scissors, which has an interesting ambiguity having in mind the large-scale
access of chitin. In chelate complexes, ligands
have more than one coordination site and
can thus “grab” central atoms as in cancer
scissors. Thus, wastewater contaminated with
heavy metals (mercury, plutonium …) can be
purified by means of chitin.
5 Glucosamine is the monomer of chitosan
and is used for medical purposes, for example, for the treatment of arthrosis and joint
complaints. It occurs naturally in connective
tissue, cartilage and articular fluid, on which
the therapeutic benefit is based. Glucosamine
is also available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. However, an actual effect
9.3.1 Properties and Applications
of Chitin
Chitin is very stable in its molecular structure
and is able to form strong inter- and intramolecular interactions via hydrogen bonds. This property makes chitin largely inaccessible for further
processing. For example, it is insoluble in conventional solvents and therefore difficult to convert. As a result, possible applications are limited.
In . Table 9.2, some typical application areas of
chitin are given.
5 The antibacterial properties of chitin are
exploited when chitin is used as a bandage
and covering material. Chitin can also be
. Table 9.2 Fields of application of chitin
Application
Example
Biomedical and pharmaceutical materials
Sponges and bandages
for wound and suture
treatments
Agriculture
Pesticides by triggering
defense mechanisms
Water technology
Decontamination of wastewater containing heavy
metals
Glucosamine production
As a remedy for arthrosis and
joint complaints
Crabs
Crusher
Standardization
Deproteinization
NaOH
Heat
Proteines
HCl
Washing
HCl
Demineralization
CaCl2
Washing
Deacetylation
NaOH
Heat
(100°C)
Washing
Drying
Chitin
Milling
Chitosan
Soluble
impurities
CH3COONa
Soluble
impurities
Soluble
impurities
. Fig. 9.6 Production route from the crab shell to chitosan
Chapter 9 · Carbohydrates from the Sea - Chitin, Chitosan and Algae
9
broken down by the body’s own enzymes,
the so-called lysozymes. Thus, chitin-based
threads are used as a degradable suture material, which does not have to be removed again
after the treatment.
5 In agriculture, for instance, chitin is used to
protect plants from pests or to support certain microorganisms in such a way that their
activity brings an advantage to the plant.
5 The affinity of chitin to heavy metals is
exploited in wastewater treatment. Chitin can
form so-called chelate complexes with them
(see . Fig. 9.8 for the chelation behavior of
chitosan). Chelate is derived from the Greek
word for crab scissors, which has an interesting ambiguity having in mind the large-scale
access of chitin. In chelate complexes, ligands
have more than one coordination site and
can thus “grab” central atoms as in cancer
scissors. Thus, wastewater contaminated with
heavy metals (mercury, plutonium …) can be
purified by means of chitin.
5 Glucosamine is the monomer of chitosan
and is used for medical purposes, for example, for the treatment of arthrosis and joint
complaints. It occurs naturally in connective
tissue, cartilage and articular fluid, on which
the therapeutic benefit is based. Glucosamine
is also available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. However, an actual effect
9.3.1 Properties and Applications
of Chitin
Chitin is very stable in its molecular structure
and is able to form strong inter- and intramolecular interactions via hydrogen bonds. This property makes chitin largely inaccessible for further
processing. For example, it is insoluble in conventional solvents and therefore difficult to convert. As a result, possible applications are limited.
In . Table 9.2, some typical application areas of
chitin are given.
5 The antibacterial properties of chitin are
exploited when chitin is used as a bandage
and covering material. Chitin can also be
. Table 9.2 Fields of application of chitin
Application
Example
Biomedical and pharmaceutical materials
Sponges and bandages
for wound and suture
treatments
Agriculture
Pesticides by triggering
defense mechanisms
Water technology
Decontamination of wastewater containing heavy
metals
Glucosamine production
As a remedy for arthrosis and
joint complaints
Crabs
Crusher
Standardization
Deproteinization
NaOH
Heat
Proteines
HCl
Washing
HCl
Demineralization
CaCl2
Washing
Deacetylation
NaOH
Heat
(100°C)
Washing
Drying
Chitin
Milling
Chitosan
Soluble
impurities
CH3COONa
Soluble
impurities
Soluble
impurities
. Fig. 9.6 Production route from the crab shell to chitosan