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Chitin (poly[β-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose]) is the second most abundant polysaccharide after cellulose in the amount produced annually by biosynthesis. It is found in wide range of organisms, particularly in crustacea, molluscs and insects where it is an important constituent of the exoskeleton and in certain fungi where it is the principal fibrillar polymer in the cell wall.
The main driving force in the development of new applications for chitin and chitosan lies in the fact that the polysaccharide is not only naturally abundant, but it is also nontoxic and biodegradable. Thailand is enriched with raw materials for the production of chitin and chitosan. In general, Thailand has generated and imported approximately 390,000, 57,000 and 190,000 tons/year of chitin and chitosan from shrimp, crab and squid, respectively.
This report describes the structure, production, derivatives, application and marketing of chitin and chitosan for perceiving and understanding their course and development. Also, a number of effective strategies for the development of Chitin and Chitosan market in Thailand and else where are included. In general, possible applications and marketing opportunities of chitin and chitosan products are the major purpose of this report. |
