37
IV.
Chitosan derivatives production :
Chitosan hydrochloride
chitosan is a naturally occurring biopolymer that is derived from chitin, a polymer found in the
exoskeleton of crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and lobster (THOMAS et al., 2020). Chitosan
is produced by deacetylating chitin, which removes the acetyl groups and leaves behind a
positively charged polymer. This positive charge makes chitosan useful for various
applications, including water treatment, drug delivery, and wound healing. (CRINI and
LICHTFOUSE, 2019).
Chitosan hydrochloride, on the other hand, is a derivative of chitosan that has been modified
with chloride ions (THOMAS et al., 2020). This modification results in a water-soluble
chitosan derivative that has improved antimicrobial properties and enhanced solubility in water.
Chitosan hydrochloride is often used in cosmetic products as a natural antimicrobial agent and
skin moisturizer, pharmaceutical industry as a drug delivery. (THOMAS et al., 2020)
(MACKAY and TAIT, 2012).
Figure 32: Chitosan Hydrochloride production