Chitosan comes from chitin by partial deacetylation, which is a natural biopolymer originating from crustacean shells (crab, shrimp, etc. )

Its chemical structure can most simply be described as a copolymer of glucosamine and acetyl-glucosamine. As a natural cationic biopolymer in its dissolved form (pH<5, 7).

Chtitosan possesses a positive charge, giving rise to versatile uses based on its chelating, antimicrobioal, gelling and film-forming properties.

Chitosan can be widely used in the following industries: Pharmaceuticals, food, health care, textile, dyeing and printing, leather, coating, tobacco, plastics, cosmetics, feed, color film, paper making, bioengineering, fertilizer, agriculture protecting and sewage treatment etc.

Applications:

Agricultural & Horticultural use  Chitosan is used primarily as a natural seed treatment and plant growth enhancer, and as a substance that boosts the ability of plants to defend against fungal infections.

Water treatment  Chitosan causes the fine sediment particles to bind together by its flocculating properties and is subsequently removed with the sediment during sand filtration, which Provide applications in treating drinking water, pools and spas, and various waste streams. Chitosan also removes phosphorus, heavy minerals, and oils from the water.

Biomedical  Chitosan is shown to be a unique hemostatic and antibacterial barrier.

Chitosan is positive charged, it attracts the red blood cells which have a negative charge making an efficient hemostatic agent. The red blood cells create a seal over the wound, stop bleeding quickly and start the healing process.

Chitosan is effective in treating acute skin burns, in healing chronic wounds and in external ulcers.

Chitosan is used in veterinarian products, such as in wound care and mastitis prevention, based on its effective anti-microbial actions.

Chitosan is of pharmaceutical interest because of its positive attributes with respect to drug delivery, toxicity, biocompatibility and bioavailability.

Nutritional  Chitosan is an excellent fat trapper due to its remarkable property of binding with lipids and fats. Chitosan attaches itself to fat and forms a large mass preventing its absorption into digestive tract. The large lump is finally eliminated from the body. It has the ability to lower the calorie effect of foods, helps in overcoming problems relating to obesity and cardiovascular difficulties

Food  Chitosan is effective for shelf-life extension of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish products. As a viscous soluble dietary fiber, it can also be used in functional food products. The main applications for chitosan in foods today are as a natural anti-microbial agent and as an edible food coating agent.

Beverages  Chitosan is used for the clarification of fermented beverages, and as a flocculant agent to avoid juice, wine and beer to by hazy.

Textile  Industrial anti-microbial applications of chitosans include textile applications for use in products such as sportswear, lady wear/hygiene care, socks etc.