kitosan
Kitosan, commonly referred to as chitosan, is a natural biopolymer derived from chitin, the structural polymer found in crustacean shells and some fungal cells. It is produced by partial deacetylation of chitin, forming poly(N-glucosamine). The degree of deacetylation and molecular weight influence solubility, charge density, and mechanical properties.
In dilute acidic solutions, kitosan carries positive charges on protonated amino groups, making it soluble, while
Production sources include crustacean shells and, to a lesser extent, fungal cell walls. Processing typically involves
Applications are diverse: water treatment for flocculation and metal adsorption; agriculture as seed coatings and biostimulants;