| FEMA | N/A |
| CAS | 1398-61-4 |
| EINECS | 215-744-3 |
| JECFA Food Flavoring | N/A |
| CoE Number | N/A |
| Organoleptic Notes |
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| Odor | N/A |
| Flavor | N/A |
| Material Notes | a linear polysaccharide of beta-1->4 linked units of acetylglucosamine. it is the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, found especially in insects and fungi. when deacetylated it is called chitosan. cellulose like biopolymer consisting predominantly of unbranched chains of beta-(1->4)-2-acetamido--2-deoxy-d-glucose. [merck index] Chitin is an unusual substance as it is a naturally occurring polymer. Its breakdown is conducted by bacteria which have receptors to simple sugars from the decomposition of chitin. If chitin is detected they then produce enzymes to digest the chitin by reducing it to simple sugars and ammonia. Chitin (IPA: [Kaitin]) is one of the main components in the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of insects and other arthropods, and in some other animals. It is a polysaccharide; it is constructed from units of acetylglucosamine (more completely, N-acetyl-D-glucos-2-amine). These are linked together in beta-1,4 fashion (in a similar manner to the glucose units which form cellulose). In effect chitin may be described as cellulose with one hydroxyl group on each monomer replaced by an acetylamine group. This allows for increased hydrogen bonding between adjacent polymers, giving the polymer increased strength. A linear polysaccharide of beta-1->4 linked units of acetylglucosamine. It is the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, found especially in insects and fungi. When deacetylated it is called chitosan. [HMDB] |