Chitooligosaccharide and its derivatives: preparation and biological applications.
Chitin is a natural polysaccharide of major importance. This biopolymer is synthesized by an enormous number of living organisms; considering the amount of chitin produced annually in the world, it is the most abundant polymer after cellulose. The most important derivative of chitin is chitosan, obtained by partial deacetylation of chitin under alkaline conditions or by enzymatic hydrolysis. Chitin and chitosan are known to have important functional activities but poor solubility makes them difficult to use in food and biomedicinal applications. Chitooligosaccharides (COS) are the degraded products of chitosan or chitin prepared by enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of chitosan. The greater solubility and low viscosity of COS have attracted the interest of many researchers to utilize COS and their derivatives for various biomedical applications. In light of the recent interest in the biomedical applications of chitin, chitosan, and their derivatives, this review focuses on the preparation and biological activities of chitin, chitosan, COS, and their derivatives.
Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Applied Life Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
Gaurav
G
Lodhi
Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Applied Life Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
Yon-Suk
0000-0001-6256-6067
YS
Kim
Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Applied Life Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
Jin-Woo
JW
Hwang
Specialized Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Department of Marine Bioconvergence Science, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
Se-Kwon
SK
Kim
School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Republic of Korea.
You-Jin
YJ
Jeon
Department of Marine Bio-Food Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 550-749, Republic of Korea.
Jae-Young
JY
Je
Division of Food and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 550-757, Republic of Korea.
Chang-Bum
CB
Ahn
Nokyong Research Center, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
Sang-Ho
SH
Moon
Nokyong Research Center, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
Byong-Tae
BT
Jeon
Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Applied Life Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea ; Nokyong Research Center, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
Pyo-Jam
PJ
Park
D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D009844:Oligosaccharides; D048271:Chitosan