ABSTRACT
Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, a polysaccharide extracted from the shells of crustaceans, molluscs, fungi and other organisms. It is a very close relative of chitin, which is distinguished only by the degree of deacetylation. Chitin is the second ubiquitous polysaccharide present in living organisms. The ability of chitosan to bind to variety of substances, including acids, lipophilic substances and minerals, and its physical and chemical properties have made it to be used in several fields such as the food industry, medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, the paper industry and also in fabrics. The chitin polysaccharide forms the exoskeleton as well as internal structure of many marine invertebrates. Extraction of chitosan from shell wastes has limitations like seasonal availability and the allergens which are produced when extracting chitosan. Chitosan has several applications due to its safe and biocompatible nature.
