Presence of chitin and chitosan in various organisms and the prominence of shrimp

Abstract

Shrimp and other crustacean remains, which normally end up in the trash, contain chitin, a natural material also found in insects and fungi. Due to its properties, chitin can be transformed into chitosan and used to produce useful and biodegradable materials. Both compounds, derived from shrimp remains, have applications in areas such as food packaging and drug delivery systems, among others. In this way, materials that were once considered waste can be transformed into valuable raw materials. Although challenges remain in using them more efficiently on a large scale, the conversion of chitin-rich materials represents a promising alternative for obtaining biodegradable products and reducing dependence on materials derived from non-renewable resources.