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Chitin: Structure, Modifications and Applications
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Chitin: Structure, Modifications and Applications

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 4634

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Artur Valente

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: transport phenomena; surfactants; biopolymers; polysaccharides; supramolecular chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xesús Feás

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Academy of Veterinary Sciences of Galicia, E-15707 Santiago, Galicia, Spain
Interests: insect; analytical chemistry; biopolymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chitin is a polysaccharide found in a variety of organisms (e.g., arthropods such as shrimps, crabs, etc.). Chitin is used industrially for many different purposes. This includes water and wastewater purification, and as a food additive to stabilize the state of food and pharmaceuticals. However, due to its low solubility and extraction and purification difficulties, introducing nanotechnology, chemical modification and other methods to chitin is urgently needed to achieve better performance. If you conduct scientific research on chitin and have any interesting results, please feel free to share them for this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Research and review papers are welcome.

Dr. Artur J. M. Valente
Dr. Xesús Feás
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chitin
  • nanotechnology
  • chemical modification
  • chitin-based biomaterials

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 10405 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Chitin Extraction from Acheta domesticus: A Sustainable Approach Using Two Ultrafine Grinding Techniques
by Binqiao Yuan, Tinghao Yu, Junkui Huang, Xinrui Ren, Dawei Huang and Jinhua Xiao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 2938; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26072938 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 275
Abstract
This research emphasizes the application of ultrafine grinding technologies to optimize the extraction process of chitin from house crickets (Acheta domesticus), aiming to establish a more sustainable and efficient production method. This study evaluates the extraction efficiency of two advanced ultrafine [...] Read more.
This research emphasizes the application of ultrafine grinding technologies to optimize the extraction process of chitin from house crickets (Acheta domesticus), aiming to establish a more sustainable and efficient production method. This study evaluates the extraction efficiency of two advanced ultrafine grinding techniques: (1) fluidized bed jet milling (FBJM) and (2) graded impact milling (GIM), alongside a traditional hand sieving method. A comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of the extracted chitin was performed, measuring critical parameters such as moisture content, residual ash, and protein levels, while also assessing its physicochemical properties. The results demonstrate that the implementation of ultrafine grinding methods significantly enhances both the yield and purity of chitin, while also reducing raw material consumption. This highlights the potential of house crickets as a sustainable source of biomaterials. The findings provide essential theoretical insights and practical guidance for the future development and application of chitin derived from insects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitin: Structure, Modifications and Applications)
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17 pages, 11068 KiB  
Article
Feasibility of Genipin to Evaluate Chitosan Rainfastness for Biopesticide Applications
by Solène Meynaud, Yunhui Wang, Gael Huet, Emmanuel Ibarboure, Christian Gardrat and Véronique Coma
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031031 - 25 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2505
Abstract
Chitosan’s effectiveness as an antimicrobial coating for biocontrol depends on its resistance to rain. Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently no satisfactory method for assessing this resistance, which means that field tests have to be carried out to evaluate [...] Read more.
Chitosan’s effectiveness as an antimicrobial coating for biocontrol depends on its resistance to rain. Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently no satisfactory method for assessing this resistance, which means that field tests have to be carried out to evaluate it in situ, which are difficult to implement and therefore unsuitable for optimizing formulations. This article explores the use of genipin to detect residual chitosan on surfaces after simulated rain, using fluorescence microscopy. A first study on real vine leaves using MacroFluo microscopy was carried out but showed limitations for the intended application, notably due to the requirement for high chitosan concentrations to achieve detectable signals. A semi-quantitative method based on confocal laser scanning microscopy was then developed on model leaves, as real leaves were unsuitable due to their autofluorescence. Among the tested models, Parafilm® proved to be the most effective, showing sufficient fluorescence after reaction with genipin, even at low chitosan concentrations. For the first time, a method that does not require chromophore grafting onto chitosan has been proposed, allowing for the comparison of chitosan solution rainfastness under laboratory conditions. As an application, the effect of the counter ion on chitosan’s rain resistance was evaluated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitin: Structure, Modifications and Applications)
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15 pages, 7777 KiB  
Article
Nanoarchitectonics and Biological Properties of Nanocomposite Thermosensitive Chitosan Hydrogels Obtained with the Use of Uridine 5′-Monophosphate Disodium Salt
by Katarzyna Pieklarz, Grzegorz Galita, Ireneusz Majsterek, Piotr Owczarz and Zofia Modrzejewska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5989; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115989 - 30 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1062
Abstract
Currently, an important group of biomaterials used in the research in the field of tissue engineering is thermosensitive chitosan hydrogels. Their main advantage is the possibility of introducing their precursors (sols) into the implantation site using a minimally invasive method—by injection. In this [...] Read more.
Currently, an important group of biomaterials used in the research in the field of tissue engineering is thermosensitive chitosan hydrogels. Their main advantage is the possibility of introducing their precursors (sols) into the implantation site using a minimally invasive method—by injection. In this publication, the results of studies on the new chitosan structures in the form of thermosensitive hydrogels containing graphene oxide as a nanofiller are presented. These systems were prepared from chitosan lactate and chitosan chloride solutions with the use of a salt of pyrimidine nucleotide—uridine 5′-monophosphate disodium salt—as the cross-linking agent. In order to perform the characterization of the developed hydrogels, the sol–gel transition temperature of the colloidal systems was first determined based on rheological measurements. The hydrogels were also analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy and SEM. Biological studies assessed the cytotoxicity (resazurin assay) and genotoxicity (alkaline version of the comet assay) of the nanocomposite chitosan hydrogels against normal human BJ fibroblasts. The conducted research allowed us to conclude that the developed hydrogels containing graphene oxide are an attractive material for potential use as scaffolds for the regeneration of damaged tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitin: Structure, Modifications and Applications)
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