Chitin And Chitosan

Dias, K. B.et al.

Vol. 4, N.3: pp. 184-191, August, 2013
ISSN: 2179-4804

184

Journal of Biotechnology and
Biodiversity

Chitin and chitosan: Characteristics, uses and production current perspectives
Kleydiane Braga Dias1, Diego Pereira da Silva1, Layane Alves Ferreira1, Rodrigo Ribeiro
Fidelis1, Jefferson da Luz Costa 2, André Luís Lopes da Silva2, Gessiel Newton Scheidt1*
ABSTRACT
Chitin and chitosan are polysaccharides found in nature, insolubles in water and organic solvents belonging to biomaterials. They are found in various sources such as algae, fungi, and the exoskeletons of arthropods. The first reports to be reported about in 1811 were chitin and chitosan on in 1859 and today are quite Relevant due to its wide range of applications including cosmetic field, environmental, food, pharmaceutical, dental and medical. The countries that top the ranking of the largest investments in research and production related to chitin and chitosan are Japan, followed by the United States, are together the leading researchers, producers and consumers of these polymers. Important features of these polysaccharides reinforce the need for further research for its use as biodegradability, biocompatibility and low toxicity. Thus, increasingly must invest in research on chitin and chitosan in order to provide a better quality of life using natural materials and without harm to the environment.
Key-words: Biofilm, biodegradable, biopolymers polysaccharides, Cunninghamella elegans

Quitina e quitosana: Características, perspectivas atuais de produção

utilizações

e

RESUMO
Quitina e quitosana são polissacarídeos encontrados na natureza, insolúveis em água e solventes orgânicos, pertencentes aos biomateriais. São encontrados em diversas fontes como algas, fungos e exoesqueleto de artrópodes.
Os primeiros relatos a serem descritos a respeito de quitina foram em 1811 e sobre quitosana em 1859 e na atualidade são bastante importantes em virtude de sua ampla gama de aplicações,