A Unique Crustacean-Based Chitin Platform to Reduce Self-Aggregation of Polysaccharide Nanofibers

Chitin Nanofibers, Preparations and Applications

Chitin nanofibers (CNFs) are mainly extracted from crab and prawn shells [1, 2] and recetly found in small amount in edible species of mushrooms [3]. CNFs are composed of chitin compound. Chitin in powder form is obtained from fish industry wastes which is otherwise thrown as industrial waste. Since CNFs are biodegradable having typical width 10-20 nm and large surface-to-mass ratio thus they a...

Removal of bromocresol green from aqueous solutions using chitin nanofibers

Preparation of Chitin Nanofibers from Mushrooms

Chitin nanofibers were isolated from the cell walls of five different types of mushrooms by the removal of glucans, minerals, and proteins, followed by a simple grinding treatment under acidic conditions. The Chitin nanofibers thus obtained have a uniform structure and a long fiber length. The width of the nanofibers depended on the type of mushrooms and varied in the range 20 to 28 nm. The Chi...

Ultrastrong and Flexible Hybrid Hydrogels based on Solution Self-Assembly of Chitin Nanofibers in Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA).

We demonstrate ultrastrong and flexible hydrogels by self-assembling chitin nanofiber in the presence of gelatin methacryloyl. We tune the mechanical properties of the hydrogel with chitin nanofiber content and show proof-of-concept applications in engineering vascular tissue.

Protective Effect of Chitin Urocanate Nanofibers against Ultraviolet Radiation

Urocanic acid is a major ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing chromophore. Chitins are highly crystalline structures that are found predominantly in crustacean shells. Alpha-chitin consists of microfibers that contain nanofibrils embedded in a protein matrix. Acid hydrolysis is a common method used to prepare chitin nanofibrils (NFs). We typically obtain NFs by hydrolyzing chitin with acetic acid. Howeve...