Chitin and Chitosan

Chitin and Chitosan: Discoveries and Applications for Sustainability provides the most comprehensive knowledge on these organic biopolymers which come from the cellular makeup of crustaceans, mollusks and arthropods. This book synthesizes historical information, fundamental properties, industrial applications, and recent discoveries and uses. Written by an international expert on chitin and chitosan sources and uses, the book discusses landmark discoveries and early uses in the research and applications of chitin and chitosan. It then explores the international use of chitin and chitosan as organic solutions across various disciplines such as aquaculture, agriculture, food and beverage industries, cosmetics and medicine. Finally, the book assesses their environmental applications for sustainable solutions, such as wastewater treatments and future chitin and chitosan usage as an organic solution for a more sustainable, green, healthy planet.

Dr. Grégorio Crini PhD is an environmental polymer scientist in the Chrono-environnment Laboratory at the Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté. He received his PhD in organic and macromolecular chemistry from the Université de Lille. When he joined his current institution, he founded a research group for using oligosaccharides (dextrins, cyclodextrins) and polysaccharides (starch, chitin, chitosan, cellulose) in water treatments. His current interests focus on the design of new functional macromolecular networks and the environmental aspects of oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and natural fibers (hemp, flax) chemistry for applied research. Dr. Crini has published more than 210 papers, a patent, and 13 books, and is a highly cited researcher. He has also conducted consulting projects for many companies

Section I: Historical Landmarks 1. The decalcification of the shells of crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and crayfish with mineral acids 2. The nitrogenous nature of chitin 3. How to identify nitrogen in chitin 4. Ammonia release in arthropod exoskeletons 5. Identification of chitosan 6. Obtaining glucosamine from arthropod chitin 7. Obtaining glucosamine from boiling bone cartilage 8. The composite and chemical relationships between chitin and chitosan 9. Research and challenges of chitin occurrence in living organisms 10. Similarities in arthropod and plant chitins 11. Chitosamine 12. First applications of chitin and chitosan in commercial development 13. Similarities in cellulose and chitin 14. Findings from The First International Chitin and Chitosan Conference 15. Findings from The European Chitin Society Section II: Applications  16. Modern sources and production 17. Basic and intrinsic properties 18. Aquaculture 19. Fisheries 20. Food and Beverage Industries 21. Pharmaceutical Industry 22. Dentistry 23. Veterinary Medicine 24. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products 25. Agriculture 26. Textile and Paper Industries 27. Biotechnology and Chemical Industries 28. Environmental Applications 29. Future Trends and Perspectives