Water-soluble low-molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) and chitooligosaccharides (COs) were obtained from chitosan (16% N-acetylation) by depolymerization induced by potassium persulfate under nitrogen atmosphere for 2 h. They were characterized by IR, X-ray, HPLC and (13)C-NMR. Splitting of C3/C5 signals in the latter indicated a newer conformation, and also showed prominence of acetyl groups in L...

Hydrophobically modified chitooligosaccharides (COSs) were tested for suitability as an emulsifier in cationic bituminous emulsions. COSs with polymerization degrees (DPs) of 5, 10, 15, and 20 obtained by nitrous acid deamination. A complete study on depolymerization precise product side characterization was undergone. Chemical modification performed to achieve amphiphilic structures using thre...

BACKGROUND Chitinases are ubiquitous enzymes that have gained a recent biotechnological attention due to their ability to transform biological waste from chitin into valued chito-oligomers with wide agricultural, industrial or medical applications. The biological activity of these molecules is related to their size and acetylation degree. Chitinase Chit42 from Trichoderma harzianum hydrolyses c...

Pectin fragments have powerful anti-metastatic properties but the molecular structure of the active component(s) is still unknown. Pectin hydrogels are used to encapsulate drugs for oral drug delivery. This polysaccharide is not digested in the upper intestinal tract but its degradation in the colon releases oligomers with potential bioactivity. Here we tested the release of pectin fragments in...

In this study, silver chloride nanoparticles (AgCl NPs) were prepared using chitosan oligomer (CHI) and chitosan oligomer derivatives (CHI-FITC). The CHI and CHI-FITC were used as markers to confirm the formation of AgCl NPs using their fluorescence properties as well as stabilizers. The fluorescence properties of CHI and CHI-FITC were monitored by a luminescence spectrophotometer, and the morp...

Chitin and chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) have been traditionally obtained by chemical digestion with strong acids. In light of the difficulties associated with these traditional production processes, environmentally compatible and reproducible production alternatives are desirable. Unlike chemical digestion, biodegradation of chitin and chitosan by enzymes or microorganisms does not require t...

Chitin is the main component of exoskeleton (cuticle) of crabs. We consume large amounts of crabs and shrimps for food and as a result, enormous amounts of their shell wastes are produced every year. Although chitin is utilized in environmental technology and food medical industries, most of shell wastes are discarded by incineration and burying. Thus, reutilization of shell wastes is an import...

Plants detect potential pathogens by sensing microbe associated molecular patterns via pattern recognition receptors. In the dicot model plant Arabidopsis, the Lysin Motif (LysM) containing Chitin Elicitor Receptor Kinase 1 (CERK1) has been shown to be essential for perception of the fungal cell wall component chitin and for resistance to fungal pathogens. Recent in vitro studies with CERK1 pro...