Chitin, Chitosan and Glucan, Properties and Applications

This review characterizes the most common natural polysaccharides and the presence of huge structural tendencies for the production of biologically active compounds, which have innovative characteristics and functions of different applications, especially in the field of biomedicine. such as glucan, chitin and chitosan (very basic) of living organisms and their properties involves solubility in different media, viscosity, behavior polyelectrolyte, forming polyoxysalt, visual ability to form films, chelation’s metals, and structural properties as molecular weight (Mw) and conformation. Their applications are also demonstrated, such as: biomedicine (antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal anti-viral, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-parasitic, anti-diabetic, detoxification, anti-tumor and immunomodulating), agriculture, food industry, textile industry, and paper making. Interestingly, the relationship between biological activity and chemical structure is elucidated for glucan, chitin, chitosan (molecules with various degree of acetylation DA) and Mw. In conclusion, many vital industrial and medical applications are offered, for chitin, chitosan and glucan, and they are known as vital and a novel biological compound, which have occupation priority of their compatibility (low immunogenicity and nontoxic) and biodegradation with non-toxic. Besides that, glucans, chitin, and chitosan have a lot of interest because of their positive effects on animal and human health, and they are natural polysaccharides found in different sources, such as plants, animals, insects and microorganisms.