What Are the Benefits of Chitin?

Polysaccharides fulfill a wide variety of functions in living organisms. Chitin is a structural polysaccharide that can be found from the exoskeletons of insects and arthropods. It can form extended, regular secondary structures, well suited to the creation of fibers and protective sheets. Due to its flexible characteristics, studies are conducted to explore the benefits that can be obtained from chitin.

Mineralization

• The most important benefit from chitin is its support function for exoskeletons wherein mineralization occurs. Several mineralization activities could be hastened if chitin is added to its mixture.

Substitute to Cellulose

• Chitin acts as a substitute to cellulose and glucans of fungi and some algae due to its similarity in structure, both in its biological function and its primary, secondary and tertiary structure.

Commercial Benefits

• A significant increase in the length of a fruit's shelf-life is attributed to its chitin-based coating. Meat with iron atoms binding to chitin derivatives has shown effects that slow rancidity and even reactions that cause flavor loss.

Other Industrial Benefits

• A coating based on chitin binds with iron atoms and inhibits interaction with oxygen, just as how painting metals prevent the formation of rust.

Wound Healing

• With the complex structure of chitin polysaccharide, its ability to create matrix patterns similar to proteins and living tissues is being looked at to increase the healing of wounds and burns.