Mushroom Chitin – Sustainable and Versatile Plant-Based Biopolymer

What is Mushroom Chitin?
Mushroom Chitin is a natural polysaccharide extracted from the cell walls of mushrooms.

It is a plant-based alternative to traditional chitin, which is typically sourced from crustaceans like shrimp and crabs.

Mushroom chitin is well-suited for use in vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-sensitive applications. It is known for its structural integrity, biocompatibility, and versatility, making it a valuable ingredient in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, wound healing, textiles, etc.

Chitin [(C₈H₁₃O₅N)_n] is a polymer consisting of N-acetylglucosamine subunits joined by covalent β-(1→4)-linkages. N-acetylglucosamine is a glucose derivative. Structurally, chitin is similar to the cellulose, which consists of glucose subunits and is also joined by β-(1→4)-linkages, except one hydroxyl group on a cellulose monomer is replaced by an acetyl amine group in a chitin monomer. Functionally, chitin most closely resembles the protein keratin, which is used as a structural component in many organisms. Chitin is the second most abundant biopolymer in the world, after cellulose.

This biopolymer is known for its structural strength, biocompatibility, and versatility, making it a valuable ingredient in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture.

In nature, chitin is widely found in the shells of lower plants, fungi, shrimps, crabs, insects and other crustaceans, and the cell walls of fungi (mushroom or aspergillus niger).

The chemical structure of chitin is very similar to that of plant cellulose. Both are polymers of hexose, with a molecular weight of more than 1 million. The basic unit of cellulose is glucose, which is a polymer composed of 300 to 2500 glucose residues connected by β-1,4 glycoside chains. The basic unit of chitin is acetylglucosamine, which is a polymer composed of 1000 to 3000 acetylglucosamine residues connected by 1,4 glycoside chains.

CAS Number:

• Chitin CAS No.: 1398-61-4

Chemical Structure:

• Chemical Formula: (C8H13NO5)n​
• Mushroom chitin is composed of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units linked by β-(1→4) glycosidic bonds. This structure provides rigidity and stability, similar to chitin derived from animal sources but with the added benefit of being sustainably sourced from plants.

Specification:

Chemical name: β-(1,4)-2-acetylamino-2-deoxy-D-glucose
Properties: Off-white amorphous substance, odorless and tasteless.

Solubility: Soluble in dimethylacetamide or concentrated acid containing 8% lithium chloride; insoluble in water, dilute acid, alkali, ethanol or other organic solvents.

Molecular weight: Chitin is a high molecular weight substance, and its molecular weight can reach more than 1 million DA. The higher the molecular weight, the stronger the adsorption capacity, which is suitable for industrial and environmental protection applications. Low molecular weight is easily absorbed by the human body.

Deacetylation Degree: Chitin can be converted into chitosan through deacetylation, which increases its solubility and makes it more readily absorbed by the body. Chitosan is produced when more than 55% of the N-acetyl groups are removed from chitin.

Product name		Chitin
Source		Mushroom or Aspergillus Niger
Item		SPECIFICATION
Deacetylation		≤70%
Characters/appearance		Off-white to white Powder or flake
Odor and taste		Characteristic
Mesh size		95% pass 100mesh (customizable)
Loss on drying		≤8%
Total ash		≤ 2%
Heavy Metals As Pb Cd Hg Sum		≤ 2.0 ppm ≤ 1.0 ppm ≤ 0.5 ppm ≤ 0.5 ppm ≤ 20.0 ppm
Microbiological quality Total Plate Count Yeast & Mold E.Coli. Salmonella		<1000cfu/g <100cfu/g Negative Negative

 

Benefits & Features:

• Excellent Biocompatibility: Mushroom chitin is highly compatible with biological systems, making it safe for use in medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.
• Non-Toxic: It is naturally non-toxic, ensuring safety for both human use and environmental applications.
• Easy to Modify: Mushroom chitin’s chemical structure allows for easy modification, enabling its adaptation for various specialized applications.
• Strong Mechanical Properties: It offers robust mechanical strength, providing durability and stability in industrial, environmental, and healthcare uses.

Main Applications of Chitin:

Food Industry:
Chitin is used as a food additive, where it acts as a thickening agent to stabilize the texture of food products.

Industrial Applications:
Chitin has numerous industrial uses. It is employed in water and wastewater purification processes. Chitin is also used to enhance the size and strength of processed paper.

Pharmaceuticals:
Chitin-based products serve as durable and strong materials, making them suitable for use as surgical sutures. Additionally, chitin possesses some unique properties; it accelerates wound healing and can even be used as a standalone wound-healing agent.

Extensive research has been conducted on its application in biomedical materials due to its excellent biocompatibility, non-toxicity, low cost, ease of modification, and good mechanical strength.

Textiles:
Chitin can also be used as a dye, fabric, and adhesive. At room temperature, 100 grams of chitin powder can absorb 200–225 grams of a 40wt% sodium hydroxide solution, with about 100 grams of this being water. The absorption capacity of chitin is related to the concentration of the alkaline solution and the absorption temperature. At zero degrees Celsius, 100 grams of chitin powder can absorb up to 800 grams of a 20–30wt% sodium hydroxide solution, with about 600 grams being water.

Chitin has a natural antibacterial effect, with a broad-spectrum antibacterial rate that is extremely high. More than 90% of common bacteria cannot survive on chitin fibers. Therefore, fabrics made from chitin fibers combined with colored cotton or pure cotton are particularly suitable for baby clothing and high-end underwear for both men and women.

Production Flowchart of Vegetal Chitin

Our Mushroom Chitin is produced using a proprietary extraction process that ensures high purity and consistency.

Flowchart Description of Mushroom Chitin Production:

1. Mushroom Material: Start with raw mushroom material.
2. Crushing: The material is crushed to reduce its size.
3. Filtration: The crushed material is filtered to remove large particles.
4. Protein Removal: Alkali treatment removes proteins.
5. Ash Removal: Acid treatment removes ash content.
6. Acid Addition: Acid is added to achieve the final Mushroom Chitin, either with or without bubbles
7. Final Product: Mushroom chitin

 

Why Use Vegetal Chitin in Your Business?

1. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Sourced from mushrooms and Aspergillus niger, vegetal chitin is a renewable, plant-based alternative to crustacean chitin, aligning with eco-friendly practices and reducing environmental impact.
2. Vegan and Allergen-Free: Safe for vegans and those with shellfish allergies, vegetal chitin broadens your market appeal, catering to health-conscious and allergy-sensitive consumers.
3. Versatile Applications: Suitable for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and agriculture, vegetal chitin functions as a natural thickener, stabilizer, and antimicrobial agent, offering broad industry applications.
4. High Purity and Odorless: Unlike shellfish-derived chitin, vegetal chitin is odorless and highly pure, ensuring seamless integration into products without affecting their sensory qualities.

Why Choose Chibio Biotech? (>>see more about us)

1. Proven Expertise: With over 8 years in the industry, Chibio Biotech is a trusted leader in vegetal chitosan production, delivering high-quality, market-driven solutions.
2. Certified Quality: Our products are ISO 22000:2018, Kosher, Halal, and Organic certified, ensuring compliance with global standards and offering safe, reliable ingredients. (>>See more about our certificates)
3. Global Reach: Serving clients in over 50 countries, we are a trusted partner for top brands worldwide, providing consistent, high-quality products.
4. Innovative Solutions: We offer customizable chitin products tailored to your specific needs, ensuring optimal performance across various applications.
5. Sustainability Commitment: We prioritize eco-friendly practices throughout our production processes, contributing to a healthier planet while delivering superior products.

By choosing Chibio Biotech and incorporating vegetal chitin into your products, you are opting for a sustainable, high-quality, and versatile ingredient that can elevate your product offerings. Our expertise, certified quality, and commitment to innovation make us the ideal partner for your business needs.

 

Interested in learning more about Mushroom Chitin and how it can benefit your products? Contact us today to request a sample or discuss your specific needs. We are here to help you innovate and succeed!