Chitin is a component of the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans and the cell walls of fungi. Crustaceans and fungi are the main sources of industrial chitosan extracts.
Chitin is a component of the shells of marine crustaceans and the cell walls of many fungi. It is a linear polysaccharide formed by N-acetylglucosamine connected through β-1,4 glycosidic bonds.
Chitosan is the deacetylation product of chitin, while chitosan oligosaccharides is the degradation product of chitin.
Chitin and high molecular weight chitosan have poor solubility, while low molecular weight chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharides have good water solubility and are therefore widely used in agricultural production.
Chitin and chitosan have biological activity and are often used as plant protection agents, anti-transpiration agents, and growth stimulants.
Chitosan derivatives act as polycations and lipid-binding molecules outside cells, forming chitosan protective films on plant leaves to protect plants from pathogens.
By increasing plant cell permeability, it improves nutrient absorption, promotes root development, increases plant photosynthesis, regulates crop growth and induces plant disease resistance. In addition, chitosan can also inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the soil, and can effectively improve the soil aggregate structure, thereby increasing crop yield and quality.
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