Chitin
What is Chitin?
Chitin is a base structural polymer found on the outer covering of crustacean exoskeletons, cells, bacteria and insects. After cellulose, the next most plentiful biopolymer in the entire world is Chitin. Chitin, as we see, can be obtained from various sources, however, the one we supply is Shrimp Shell Chitin.
Shrimp Shell Chitin is a naturally occurring polymer, extracted from shrimp shells & heads through a series of de-proteinization and demineralization processes to remove minerals and proteins.
It is a biodegradable polymer that dissolves over time. Chitin is a raw material mainly for Chitosan and Glucosamine hydrochloride. It is also a biopolymer which can be an environment friendly solution for single-use plastics.
Our Source of Raw-material (Shrimp Heads & shells)
The raw material is shrimp heads and the shells are sourced from a facility that has state-of-the-art technology when it comes to processing equipment.
The raw material sources from our associated plant is certified and use GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) in addition to strict adherence to the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and have been certified for HACCP standard and BRC certification (UKAS Food Certification) with Higher level, approved by European Union and USFDA.
Chitin as Soil Conditioning agent
Chitin is also utilized as a soil conditioning agent due to the polymer’s ability to slowly degrade, releasing needed nutrients to plants without a risk of over fertilizing.
Chitin improves or induces natural defense mechanisms in the plant.
Chitin is a promising soil amendment for improving soil quality, plant growth, and plant resilience.
The chitin soil amendment increases the absolute and relative abundance of several fungal and bacterial groups involved in plant growth promotion and in biological control.
Chitin in Food Preservatives
Chitin is purified and deacetylated to achieve chitosan. It has attracted a growing attention as a food preservative due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, nontoxicity and versatility.
Chitin treatments in various forms can retard the color alteration that happens while processing various meats and seafoods.
It can significantly reduce the rate of lipid oxidation in meats and seafood. It is hence a popular dietary supplement for weight control in Japan.
Chitin derived Chitosan can also promote the protection of vegetables and fruits by acting as a defensive enzyme enhancer.
Surface application of Chitin derived Chitosan on smooth fruits and vegetables, concentrates Chitosan and allows effective microbicidal activity.
Chitin in Stem Cell Technology
The chitin nanofibers play an important role in both enhancing the mechanical properties of plasma cell myelomas (PCMS) and improving the adhesion, growth, and proliferation of cells due to the inherent bioactivity of chitin.
The chitin macroporous microspheres could support the growth of various mammalian cells, such as monkey fibroblasts, human hepatocytes and even human stem cells.
The stem cells cultured microspheres can maintain the 3D structure and multi-lineage differentiation capacity the mammalian.
Hydroxypropyl Chitin bioink has high gel strength and rapid temperature response while 3D printing human induced pluripotent stem cells and could achieve features like high cell yield, high pluripotency maintenance and uniform aggregation.
The qualities of Chitin make it inherently suitable as scaffolds and matrices for tissue engineering, stem cell propagation and differentiation.
Chitin for Wound Dressing and Wound Healing
Wound Healing:
Wound healing is a specific biological process related to the general phenomenon of growth and tissue regeneration.
Chitin has a remarkable compatibility with living tissue and is considered for its ability to increase the healing of wounds.
Wound dressings:
The acetyl groups in chitin make chitin water-repellent. Processed chitin-rich solution turns into moist fibers. With a spinning machine some fibers can be converted into a fabric which we can use as a wound dressing or a bandage.
Wound dressings from Chitin are used in burns, surface wounds and skin-graft donor sites and also used in medical therapies.
Chitin-cotton is applied in many cases of trauma and of abscess, as a wound dressing or tissue defect-filling agent.
Chitin for Surgical Suture
Surgical Suture is a medical device used to hold body tissues together after an injury or surgery Application.
It generally involves the use of a needle with an attached length of thread.
Such chitin fibers permit the production of surgical sutures having high tensile strength and flexibility, and good absorption properties.
The persistence of the tensile strength of the chitin is better than catgut in bile, urine and pancreatic juice.
Chitin is strong and flexible and it also dissolves over time, thus allowing patients to avoid the painful removal of stitches.
Chitin in Cosmetics
Chitin derivatives are used as cosmetic ingredients because of their biodegradable, biocompatible, viscosity and moisture-holding properties.
Chitin and chitosan are excellent hydrating agents, which moisturize and protect the skin from drying.
Chitin has a film-forming ability, which makes it a good carrier in cosmetics and fixes ingredients on skin for long-lasting effects.
Nanoparticles of quaterized chitin derivatives are associated with hyaluronic acid as promising skin penetration vehicle.
Chitosan oligosaccharide derived from chitin has preventive effect on UV-caused damages to the skin.
Awareness of environment friendly ingredients is increasing worldwide and consumers prefer cosmetics with green labels (i.e. natural, eco friendly ingredients)
Chitin in Oral Care
Chitin and chitosan can be used in toothpaste, mouthwashes and chewing gum. They freshen the breath and prevent the formation of plaque and tooth decay.
Chitin can also be applied as a dental filler material.
Chitin absorbs candida albiicans, a pathogenic yeast that sticks to teeth, making them candidates to clean false teeth.
A chitin tooth-paste has a high sterilizing and disinfecting effect and it prevents damage to the teeth.
Chitin can help regenerate the connective tissues that covers the teeth near the gums. Chitin can also help in treatment of gingivitis.
Chitin in Textiles
Chitin is a biodegradable molecule. Due to this property it is used in a number of industrial applications.
It can be used to protect textile from breaking in the weaving process.
Chitin can be used in producing textiles with specific properties like water resistance.
Chitin fibers can be used in many textile products like binders for dyes and glues, paper fabrics, absorbent pads, hygiene products, and tissues.
Chitosan’s structure is very similar to cellulose. The chitin fiber blends with cotton and viscose are extremely versatile and easy to dye.
Chitin fibres are useful to blend with wood-pulp too.
Chitin in Plastic Materials
Shrimp shells chitin can be used to make plastic material such as plastic packaging and plastic bags.
By combining Chitin and Cellulose, manufacturers can generate a durable, natural film. Chitin is a linear polymer of N-acetyl glucosamine.
The material is comparable to PET (polyethylene terephthalate), one of the most common petroleum-based materials used as transparent packaging.
Chitin as Fertilizer
Chitin can be a potential organic natural compound and may serve as a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.
Chitin fertilizer signals the plants to produce natural toxins when attacked by enemies like pests and fungal pathogens, thus acting as an autoimmune response vaccine.
Chitin is a good inducer of plant defense mechanism for controlling disease.
Chitin can decompose trace metal elements in the soil.
Chitin is compatible with most pesticides and fertilizers.
