title: Implications of molecular diversity of chitin and its derivatives.
abstract: Chitin is a long unbranched polysaccharide, made up of β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine which forms crystalline fiber-like structure. It is present in the fungal cell walls, insect and crustacean cuticles, nematode eggshells, and protozoa cyst. We provide a critical appraisal on the chemical modifications of chitin and its derivatives in the context of their improved efficacy in medical applications without any side effect. Recent advancement in nanobiotechnology has helped to synthesize several chitin derivatives having significant biological applications. Here, we discuss the molecular diversity of chitin and its applications in enzyme immobilization, wound healing, packaging material, controlled drug release, biomedical imaging, gene therapy, agriculture, biosensor, and cosmetics. Also, we highlighted chitin and its derivatives as an antioxidant, antimicrobial agent, anticoagulant material, food additive, and hypocholesterolemic agent. We envisage that chitin and chitosan-based nanomaterials with their potential applications would augment nanobiotechnology and biomedical industries.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Henan, 450001, China.
authors.forename: Faez Iqbal
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Safikur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
authors.forename: Aarfa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Queen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering & Technology, IFTM, Lodhipur-Rajput, Delhi Road, Moradabad, India.
authors.forename: Shahzaib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahamad
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
authors.forename: Sher
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Republic of Korea. kimjihoe@ynu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jihoe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India. mihassan@jmi.ac.in.
authors.forename: Md Imtaiyaz
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002686:Chitin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001688:Biological Products; D002686:Chitin
keywords: Chitin; Chitinase; Chitosan; Nanobiotechnology; Pharmaceutical materials; Polysaccharide