Implications of molecular diversity of chitin and its derivatives
Faez Iqbal Khana, Safikur Rahmanb, Aarfa Queenc, Shahzaib Ahamadd, Sher Alic, Jihoe Kimb e✉, Md. Imtaiyaz Hassanc f✉
- aSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Henan, 450001, China
- bDepartment of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Republic of Korea
- cCenter for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
- dDepartment of Biotechnology, College of Engineering & Technology, IFTM, Lodhipur-Rajput, Delhi Road, Moradabad, India
- eDepartment of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Republic of Korea. kimjihoe@ynu.ac.kr
- fCenter for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India. mihassan@jmi.ac.in
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
Chitin is a long unbranched polysaccharide, made up of β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine which forms crystalline fiber-like structure. It is present in the fungal cell walls, insect and crustacean cuticles, nematode eggshells, and protozoa cyst. We provide a critical appraisal on the chemical modifications of chitin and its derivatives in the context of their improved efficacy in medical applications without any side effect. Recent advancement in nanobiotechnology has helped to synthesize several chitin derivatives having significant biological applications. Here, we discuss the molecular diversity of chitin and its applications in enzyme immobilization, wound healing, packaging material, controlled drug release, biomedical imaging, gene therapy, agriculture, biosensor, and cosmetics. Also, we highlighted chitin and its derivatives as an antioxidant, antimicrobial agent, anticoagulant material, food additive, and hypocholesterolemic agent. We envisage that chitin and chitosan-based nanomaterials with their potential applications would augment nanobiotechnology and biomedical industries.
TL;DRThe molecular diversity of chitin and its applications in enzyme immobilization, wound healing, packaging material, controlled drug release, biomedical imaging, gene therapy, agriculture, biosensor, and cosmetics are discussed. (Semantic Scholar)