Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, is an important resource for biosourced materials. The global demand for chitin is rapidly increasing, however, the majority of industrial chitin is sourced from crustacean shells, which may be less accessible in regions without seafood waste. Therefore, it is crucial to explore alternative chitin sources, such as those derived from beetles and other arthropods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChitosan, a natural polysaccharide, has attracted considerable attention as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient adsorbent for dye removal. It is usually produced by deacetylation or partial deacetylation of chitin. However, conventional sources of chitin and chitosan are limited, prompting the need for alternative sources with improved adsorption capabilities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGraphite nanoplatelets (GNPs)-the segregated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)-based composites with hybrid filler-decorated with FeO were developed. Using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, it was shown that the decorated component has the shape of separate granules, or their clusters were distributed evenly over the GNPs surface. The individual FeO nanoparticles are predominantly rounded, with diameters of approximately 20-60 nm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInsects, renowned for their abundant and renewable biomass, stand at the forefront of biomimicry-inspired research and offer promising alternatives for chitin and chitosan production considering mounting environmental concerns and the inherent limitations of conventional sources. This comprehensive review provides a meticulous exploration of the current state of insect-derived chitin and chitosan, focusing on their sources, production methods, characterization, physical and chemical properties, and emerging biomedical applications. Abundant insect sources of chitin and chitosan, from the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Dictyoptera, Odonata, and Ephemeroptera orders, were comprehensively summarized.
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