ABSTRACT
Chitin is a naturally abundant mucopolysaccharide distributed in the shell of crustaceans, in the cuticle of insects, and also in the cell wall of some fungi and microorganisms. Chitin consists of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-(1-4)-β-d-glucopyranose residues (N-acetyl-d-glucosamine units) that has intra-and intermolecular hydrogen bonds and is a water-insoluble material resembling cellulose in its solubility. It may be regarded as cellulose with hydroxyl group at position C-2 replaced by an acetamido group. In addition, it has a similar function to cellulose in plants, serving as a supportive and protective material. Chitin is a polysaccharide that is a white, hard, inelastic nitrogenous compound, and the major source of surface pollution in the coastal areas. Chitin production is estimated approximately 1 × 109 metric tons annually and it is the second most abundant natural biopolymer.
