Chitin

Etymology

Chitine comes from the Greek root χιτών meaning “tunic”, by analogy between the shell of the arthropods and clothing.

Molecule

It is a amino Sucre, Polysaccharide, made groups of acétylglucosamine (N-acétyl-D-GLUCOSE-2-amino) connected to each other by a connection of the β-1,4 type. It is this type of connection which connects the groups of Glucose S in the molecule of Cellulose.

The chemical name of the molecule is:

Poly N-acétyl-D-glucosamine, β- (1,4) - 2-Acétamido-2-désoxy-D-glucose

chitin is one of the components of the Cuticule of the insects, of the spiders and of shellfish, it has a protective role thus. Associated with calcium carbonate, it becomes rigid and forms the Exosquelette then Crustacés and of all the animals with shell such as the Escargot S.

Biosynthesis and biological role

At mushrooms, chitin is a constituent essence of the side wall which surrounds and protects the fungic cells with respect to the environment. Chitin would take part in particular in the rigidity of the fungic wall. The biological chitin polymer of origin is synthesized by an enzymatic activity called chitin synthase (CHS). At yeast of the baker ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ), several activities CHS synthesize chitin with intracellular localizations different and particular stages from the budding of this unicellular mushroom.

Use

This organic compound is generally well supported by biological fabrics and is thus used in Cosmétique or in the treatment of the burns. In Surgery, it is used for surgical wire because of its resistance and its flexibility.
chitin is also used to filter waste water: it forms ionizable chains which make it possible to fix the organic elements in suspension (see Chitosan).

Be-X-old: Хіцін Simple: Chitin

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