Chitin, the chemical name is β-(1→4)-2-acetylamino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose, also known as chitin, chitin, chitin, crab shellin, etc. It is a polysaccharide second only to cellulose in the presence of cellulose, and it is also the nitrogen-containing natural organic polymer compound with the largest amount of protein in nature. Chitin is widely found in the skin of crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs and various insects, the bones of molluscs such as squid and shellfish, and the cell walls of mushrooms and fungi. Many aquatic organisms contain chitin.

The unique function of chitin

Pure chitin is a non-toxic and tasteless white or off-white translucent solid, which is difficult to dissolve in water, dilute acid, dilute alkali and general organic solvents, thus limiting its application and development. Later, people discovered in the research and exploration that chitin becomes soluble chitin after being treated with concentrated alkali to remove the acetyl group. This kind of chitosan has a large number of amino groups in its macromolecular structure, which greatly improves the performance of chitin. Solubility and chemical activity make it widely used in medical treatment, nutrition and health care. Chitin is an extremely abundant natural resource on the earth, and it is also the only positively charged animal cellulose found so far in nature.

Because of its unsaturated cationic groups in its molecular structure, it has a strong adsorption effect on various negatively charged harmful substances. Similarly, it can also remove the "garbage" in the human body to achieve the purpose of preventing diseases and prolonging life. Because chitin has this unique function, it is praised by European and American scientists as the sixth vital element of the human body, which is equally important as protein, fat, sugar, vitamins and minerals.

Application of Chitin Fiber

Chitin has many unique physical, chemical and biological properties, mainly including: cationic polyelectrolyte, multifunctional group reactivity, antibacterial, biocompatibility, biodegradability and so on. It can be used as an anti-mildew, sterilizing and deodorant for textiles in industry, and can be attached to textile fibers through post-treatment. It is one of the methods to increase the added value of textiles. It is used to manufacture underwear, socks, and household special functional textiles.

Medical surgical gowns/cloths, wound dressings, burn wound dressings or deep processing into artificial skin for the treatment of large area burns. Since chitosan is a cationic natural polymer, it has a good effect of controlling microorganisms/bacteria/mold, and can be applied It is used in food preservation, food inner packaging, non-toxic and pollution-free. Spray chitosan solution on the cleaned or peeled fruit, the film formed after chitosan dries is colorless, odorless and breathable, and it is not necessary to remove the film when eating . Can also be used in dyes, paper and water treatment, etc. In agriculture, it can be used as insecticide and plant antiviral agent. In fishery, it is used as fish feed. Cosmetic beauty agent, hair protection, moisturizing agent, etc. Medical supplies can be used as contact lenses, artificial skin, sutures, artificial dialysis membranes and artificial blood vessels. These excellent properties make it widely used in spunlace non-woven fabrics, especially in the field of facial  mask fabric, for skin repair and other effects.