ABSTRACT

Chitin and chitosan are natural aminopolysaccharides which consist of linear chains containing

-acetyl-

-glucosamine and

-glucosamine units which are linked together by (1-4)-

β

glycosidic linkages. While the chitin contains predominantly

-acetyl-

-glucosamine units, chitosan is based primarily on

-glucosamine units. In chitin, the typical content of

-acetyl-

-glucosamine is 70-95%, and the reverse is true with chitosan, which usually contains 70-95% of

-glucosamine. Although there is no sharp distinction between these two biopolymers, it is generally accepted that chitin is highly acetylated, while chitosan is extensively deacetylated.