In biology, chitin is one of the main components in the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of insects and other arthropods, and in some other animals. It is a polysaccharide, made out of units of acetylglucosamine (more completely, N_acetyl_D_glucos_2_amine). These are linked together in β_1,4 fashion, the same as the glucose units that make up cellulose. So chitin may be thought of as cellulose, with one hydroxyl group on each monomer replaced by an acetylamino group. This allows for increased hydrogen bonding between adjacent polymers, giving the material increased strength. Chitin's strength and flexibility makes it the material used for surgical thread.
"Chitin" and "chiton" (a marine animal) both derive from the same Greek word meaning "tunic", referring to the hardness of the shell.
In the honeybee chitin color may be yellow, golden, brown or black.
External links
Chitin Product Information from China GreatVista Chemicals (http://www.greatvistachemicals.com/biochemicals/chitin.html)
Horseshoe Crab Chitin Research (http://www.ocean.udel.edu/horseshoecrab/Research/chitin.html)
Chitin was first investigated in 1811 by Professor Henri Braconnott, who discovered it in the cell walls of mushrooms.
Chitosan, a derivative of chitin, was produced in 1859, and since then, research has been conducted to learn about the properties of chitin and chitosan and develop commercial applications for their use.
Chitin can be processed into many derivatives, the most readily available being chitosan, which is formed when chitin is heated with a chemical solution.
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