Biodegradation of Crystalline Chitin:A Review of Recent Advancement,Challenges,and Future Study Directions

Chitin is the second most abundant renewable polysaccharide on Earth.The degradation of chitin into soluble and bioactive N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides(NCOSs)and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine(GlcNAc)has emerged as a pivotal step in the efficient and sustainable utilization of chitin resources.However,because of its dense structure,high crystallinity,and poor solubility,chitin typically needs pretreatment via chemical,physical,and other methods before enzymatic conversion to enhance the accessibility between substrates and enzyme molecules.Consequently,there has been considerable interest in exploring the direct biological degradation of crystalline chitin as a cost-effective and environment-friendly technology.This review endeavors to present several biological methods for the direct degradation of chitin.We primarily focused on the importance of chitinase containing chitin-binding domain(CBD).Additionally,various modification strategies for increasing the degradation efficiency of crystalline chitin were introduced.Subsequently,the review systematically elucidated critical components of multi-enzyme catalytic systems,highlighting their potential for chitin degradation.Furthermore,the application of microorganisms in the degradation of crystalline chitin was also discussed.The insights in this review contribute to the explorations and investigations of enzymatic and microbial approaches for the direct degradation of crystalline chitin,thereby fostering advancements in biomass conversion.

SDS-Chitin-PAGE电泳法分析大葱叶几丁质酶特性

使用Sodium dodecyl sulfate-几丁质-聚丙烯胺酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-Chitin-PAGE)方法分析了大葱葱叶几丁质酶的特性。在大葱叶组织中共检测到三种几丁质酶同工酶,分别命名为CH-A、CH-B、CH-C。分析结果表明,这三种几丁质酶具有SDS抗性,β-巯基乙醇对其活性也无显著影响。在SDS-Chitin-PAGE前,样品缓冲溶液与样品蛋白粗提液孵化处理的最适温度为24℃、时间为10～20min。凝胶电泳酶活分析表明,大葱葱叶中CH-A、CH-B的耐热温度可达60℃,CH-C的耐热温度达到70℃。葱叶中CH-A的最适pH为5.2～5.6,CH-B的最适pH为4.0～4.4,CH-C的最适pH为6.6～8.0。

Isolation and Screening of Strains for Silkworm Puparium Chitin Degradation and the Optimization of Chitinase Production by Response Surface Methodology

[Objective] The aim of this study was to optimize the conditions of chitinase-produce strains.[Method] A kind of screened chitinase-produce strain G-254 was habituated cultured,and then the single factor experiment was carried out to explore the effects of different carbon source,nitrogen source and inorganic salt on the activity of produced chitinase;the response surface test was used to determine the optimal conditions for chitinase production.[Result] The optimal conditions for chitinase production were：8% of glucose,5% of beef extract and 0.07% of MgSO4,and the activity of chitinase reached the maximal value（6.86 U）under these conditions.[Conclusion] The study improved the activity of chitinase produced by strain G-254 and provided good foundation for industrial production.

新型催化剂chitin/BiOBr的构建及用于抗生素污染物去除

利用溶剂热法制备了一种新型光催化剂chitin/BiOBr。在可见光照射下,chitin/BiOBr对环丙沙星表现出了优异的光催化降解性能,180 min内可对环丙沙星(250 mL,20mg·L^(-1))的降解率为78%,其降解速率是纯溴氧化铋的5.2倍。通过一系列表征技术对样品的形貌结构、光电性能和化学元素组成等进行了研究。活性成分测定实验表明,羟基自由基(·OH)和空穴(h+)共同作用于环丙沙星的降解。循环实验表明chitin/BiOBr有较稳定的可见光催化性能。同时根据实验结果对环丙沙星的降解机理进行了探讨。

Synthesis of Novel Benzoylphenylurea Chitin Inhibitors from Chlorothalonil

Twenty-six novel benzoylphenylurea chitin inhibitor derivatives have been synthesized in over 30~50% yield from chlorothalonil 1 via sequential fluorine exchange, aminolysis, hydrolysis, decarboxylation and acylation reactions.

Activities of the Deriviatives of Chitin on the Osbeoblast Proliferation and the Effect on Bone Strength in Ovariectomized Rats

This study intends to examine the effects of different concentrations of four kinds of degradations of chitin： glucosamine （GLC）, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine （NAG）, chitooligosaccharide（COS）, CM-chitooligosaccharide （CM-COS）—on the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cell line cultured in vitro. Results suggest that all of the glucoses mentioned above promoted the proliferation of osteoblast, and various concentrations have different effects： the proliferation was remarkable when the concentration of GLC, NAG, COS, CM-COS was 100 , 100, 500, 500 μg/mL ,respectively. Furthermore we choose the glucosamine as the material and study the effect on the bone strength in ovariectomized rats. The results showed that the middle does of glucosamine can significantly increase the hone strength of femur in ovariectomized rats.

Recovery of Chitin and Protein from Shrimp Head Waste by Endogenous Enzyme Autolysis and Fermentation

The industrial processing of shrimp produces massive quantities of solid waste that is a notable source of animal protein, chitin, carotenoids, and other bioactive compounds that are not appropriately utilized. In the present study, chitin and protein extraction from shrimp head with autolysis and fermentation using Bacillus licheniformis were investigated. The results showed that when shrimp heads were autolyzed with a natural pH at 50℃ for 4 h, the total amino acid nitrogen in the supernatant was 5.01 mg mL^-1. Then, when a 50%(v/m) inoculum of the hydrolysate was incubated at 60℃ for 10 h, a deproteinization rate of 88.3% could be obtained. The fermented supernatant was processed into a dry protein powder, while the residues were demineralized by 10% citric acid for chitin. The recovered protein powder contained 5.5% moisture, 11.5% ash, and 66.7% protein, while the chitin contained 3.5% moisture, 2.1% ash, and 3.1% protein. In addition, amino acids, minerals, heavy metals, the degree of acetylation, microstructure, and Fourier-transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy results were analyzed. Furthermore, the statistics of the large scale trial after treatment with 20 kg of shrimp heads were analyzed. Thus, this work made the shrimp waste utilization environmentally sound and valuable.

Bridging peripheral nerves using a deacetyl chitin conduit combined with short-term electrical stimulation

Previous studies have demonstrated that deacetyl chitin conduit nerve bridging or electrical stimulation can effectively promote the regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve. We hypoth-esized that the combination of these two approaches could result in enhanced regeneration. Rats with right sciatic nerve injury were subjected to deacetyl chitin conduit bridging combined with electrical stimulation （0.1 ms, 3 V, 20 Hz, for 1 hour）. At 6 and 12 weeks after treatment, nerve conduction velocity, myelinated axon number, ifber diameter, axon diameter and the thickness of the myelin sheath in the stimulation group were better than in the non-stimulation group. The results indicate that deacetyl chitin conduit bridging combined with temporary electrical stimu-lation can promote peripheral nerve repair.

Comparison of the defluoridation efficiency of calcium phosphate and chitin in the exoskeleton of Antarctic krill

Calcium （Ca）, phosphorus （P）, and chitin are the main components of the exoskeleton of krill. Defluoridation of a solution of sodium fluoride （NaF） using calcium phosphate （Ca3（PO4）2） and chitin as defluoridation agents was studied. Orthogonal experiments were designed to find the optimum reaction conditions for defluoridation, to obtain the maximum defluoridation efficiency and fluoride removal capacity of calcium phosphate and chitin. At the same time, a comparison of the capacity of the two defluoridation agents was made. The results suggest that calcium phosphate has a far greater capability than chitin for the removal of fluoride （F） from water under similar reaction conditions. It is also suggested that Antarctic krill is likely to adsorb fluoride via compounds such as calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and other compounds of Ca and P with the general form （Ca, X）x（PO4, HPO4, Y）y（OH, Z）z, in addition to chitin.

Ionic Liquid as Useful Media for Dissolution, Derivatization, and Nanomaterial Processing of Chitin

This paper reviews studies on dissolution, derivatization, and nanomaterial processing of chitin using an ionic liquid as useful media. Because chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide on the earth after cellulose, there is major interest in conversion of native chitin resources into various useful materials after proper dissolution in suitable solvents. For the derivatization and nanomaterial processing of chitin, the author has been focusing on ionic liquids because which have been found to be used as good solvents for cellulose in a past decade. The author found that an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (AMIMBr), dissolved chitin in concentrations up to 4.8 wt% and mixtures of the higher amounts of chitin with AMIMBr gave ion gels. Acetylation, the simplest derivatization, of chitin using acetic anhydride was achieved in the AMIMBr solvent under mild conditions. Furthermore, the chitin nanofibers were fabricated by regeneration technique from the chitin ion gel with AMIMBr using methanol. Moreover, filtration of the chitin nanofiber dispersion with methanol was carried out to give a chitin nanofiber film. The chitin nanofiber-poly(vinyl alcohol) composite film was also prepared from the ion gel by co-regeneration method.

Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions by Adsorbent from Waste Mycelium Chitin

The adsorption properties of chitin adsorbent from mycelium of fermentation industries for the removal of heavy metal ions were studied. The result shows that the chitin adsorbent has high adsorption capacity for many heavy metal ions and Ni2+ in citric acid. The influence of pH was significant:When pH is higher than 4.0, the high adsorption capacity is obtained,otherwise H+ ion inhibits the adsorption of heavy metal ions. The comparison of the chitin adsorbent with some other commercial adsorbents was made, in which that the adsorption behaviorchitin adsorbent is close to that of commercial cation exchange adsorbents, and its cost is much lower than those commercial adsorbents.

Synthesis of Novel Benzoylphenylurea Chitin Inhibitors From Chlorothalonil(Ⅱ)

Six novel benzoylphenylurea chitin inhibitor derivatives were synthesized in the yields of 30%_50% from the readily available starting material chlorothalonil 1 viasequential fluorine exchange, aminolysis, hydrolysis and acylation reactions.

REINFORCEMENT OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE CEMENTS WITH PHOSPHORYLATED CHITIN

Phosphorylated chitins (P-chitins) as the additives of calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) were prepared by the phosphorylation of chitin with phosphorus pentoxide in methanesulfonic acid. Their physical properties and effects on CPCs from monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) and calcium oxide (CaO) or dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)(2)] were investigated. Addition of P-chitin (M-w = 2.60 x 10(4); degree of substitution, DS = 0.68) to the liquid phase in amounts up to 3 wt.% for MCPM and CaO cements or 1.5 wt.% for DCPD and Ca(OH)(2) cements could enhance the mechanical strength considerably, while little influence on the setting time was observed. However, further addition of P-chitin will cause no setting.

Chitinolytic Assay and Identification of Bacteria Isolated from Shrimp Waste Based on 16S rDNA Sequences

Shrimp waste contains 20% - 60% chitin and possible to be source of chitinolytic bacteria. Chitinolytic bacteria are capable of hydrolyzing of chitin progressively to produce N-acetylglucosamine monomer which can be used to overcome the shrimp waste. The objectives of this research were to identify species of bacteria with high activity of chitin degradation in shrimp waste and to analyze their potency as chitin degradation agent. The research consists of screening of chitinolytic bacteria based on chitinolytic index, activity assay of chitinase using colorimetric method, and molecular identification of bacteria based on 16S rDNA sequences. Two of eighteen isolates of chitinolytic bacteria (PBK 2 and SA 1.2 isolates) showed the highest chitinolytic index, which were 2.069 and 2.084, whereas chitinase activity was 0.213 and 0.219 U/ml respectively. Based on 16S rDNA sequences, isolate of PBK 2 was identified as Acinetobacter johnsonii 3-1, whereas SA 1.2 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GR53 with 99.78% similarity.

A Review of Various Sources of Chitin and Chitosan in Nature

Chitin was first discovered by its name from the Greek word“chiton”,which means“mail coat”.It is indeed a polysaccharide made up of naturally occurring acetyl-D-glucosamine monomers.Hatchett was the first researcher who extracted chitin from the shells of mollusks(crabs and lobsters),prawns,and crayfish in 1799.Later in 1811,Henri Braconnot discovered chitin in the cell walls of mushrooms and called it“fungine”.Chitin and chitosan are abundant in the biosphere as essential components of many organisms’exoskeletons and as by-products of the global seafood industry.The biopolymer must be deacetylated before chitosan can be produced.It can also be extracted using microbes in a biological extraction procedure.The development of products that take advantage of the bioactivities of the existing primary commercial source of chitin(crustacean)has lagged expectations.Also,the disadvantages of the present commercial source such as seasonality and competition for other uses among others has been one of the driving forces towards seeking alternative sources of chitin and chitosan in nature.This review highlights some of the efforts made by environmental scholars to locate possible commercial sources of chitin and chitosan in nature over time.

In vitro toxicologic study of chitin short fiber reinforced polycaprolactone composite

Objective: To investigate the cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of chitin fiber reinforced polycaprolactone composite in vitro in order to provide useful scientific basis for clinical application. Methods: Cell morphology observation, MTT and DNA assay were used to evaluate the influence of the composite on the morphology, growth and proliferation of cultured L-929 cells. Results: The composite did not impair the morphology of cultured cells in vitro. MTT and DNA assay demonstrated that the growth and proliferation of the cultured cells were not significantly inhibited by the composite. Conclusion : The composites have fine cytocompatibility and are safe for clinical use of reconstruction of chest wall defects.

Myelin-associated glycoprotein combined with chitin conduit inhibits painful neuroma formation after sciatic nerve transection

Studies have shown that myelin-associated glycoprotein(MAG)can inhibit axon regeneration after nerve injury.However,the effects of MAG on neuroma formation after peripheral nerve injury remain poorly understood.In this study,local injection of MAG combined with nerve cap made of chitin conduit was used to intervene with the formation of painful neuroma after sciatic nerve transfection in rats.After 8 weeks of combined treatment,the autotomy behaviors were reduced in rats subjected to sciatic nerve transfection,the mRNA expression of nerve growth factor,a pain marker,in the proximal nerve stump was decreased,the density of regenerated axons was decreased,the thickness of the myelin sheath was increased,and the ratio of unmyelinated to myelinated axons was reduced.Moereover,the percentage of collagen fiber area and the percentage of fibrosis marker alpha-smooth muscle actin positive staining area in the proximal nerve stump were decreased.The combined treatment exhibited superior effects in these measures to chitin conduit treatment alone.These findings suggest that MAG combined with chitin conduit synergistically inhibits the formation of painful neuroma after sciatic nerve transection and alleviates neuropathic pain.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Peking University People’s Hospital(approval No.2019PHE027)on December 5,2019.

Production and characterization of chitinase from <i>Vibrio</i>species, a head waste of shrimp <i>Metapenaeus dobsonii</i>(Miers, 1878) and chitin of <i>Sepiella inermis</i>Orbigny, 1848

The chitin is extracted from the cuttlebone of S. inermis and the mineral contents are predictable. The structure and degree of deacetylation of extracted cuttlebone chitin is dogged through Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The extracted cuttlebone chitin is used as the substrate for the production of chitinase from Vibrio sp. The extra cellular proteins are concentrated by ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysed and then purified by using gel (sephadex G-100) chromatography. Among the 40 fractions, only two fractions (active fractions) showed maximum absorbance at 280 nm, which are pooled, dialysed and free-dried. The enzyme activity (0.104 μmoles/ml) and molecular weight (50 - 60 kDa) of purified chitinase is also determined through SDS- PAGE. The optimal condition for chitinase activity is pH between 6.0 - 6.5 and 45℃.

Apatite and Chitin Amendments Promote Microbial Activity and Augment Metal Removal in Marine Sediments

In situ amendments are a promising approach to enhance removal of metal contaminants from diverse environments including soil, groundwater and sediments. Apatite and chitin were selected and tested for copper, chromium, and zinc metal removal in marine sediment samples. Microbiological, molecular biological and chemical analyses were applied to investigate the role of these amendments in metal immobilization processes. Both apatite and chitin promoted microbial growth. These amendments induced corresponding bacterial groups including sulfide producers, iron reducers, and phosphate solubilizers;all that facilitated heavy metal immobilization and removal from marine sediments. Molecular biological approaches showed chitin greatly induced microbial population shifts in sediments and overlying water: chitin only, or chitin with apatite induced growth of bacterial groups such as Acidobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Epsilonproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Rhodospirillaceae, Spirochaetes, and Verrucomicrobia;whereas these bacteria were not present in the control. Community structures were also altered under treatments with increase of relative abundance of Deltaproteobacteria and decrease of Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Nitrospirae. Many ?of these groups of bacteria have been shown to be involved in metal reduction and immobilization. Chemical analysis ?of pore and overlying water also demonstrated metal immobilization primarily under chitin treatments. X-Ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) spectra showed more sorbed Zn occurred over time in both apatite and chitin treatments (from 9% - 27%). The amendments improved zinc immobilization in marine sediments that led to significant changes in ??the mineralogy: easily mobile Zn hydroxide phase was converted to an immobile Zn phosphate (hopeite). In-situ amendment of apatite and chitin offers a great bioremediation potential for marine sediments contaminated with heavy metals.

真菌作为生物医学材料的应用——以灵芝子实体SACCHACHITIN为例的研发过程

到目前为止,SACCHACHITIN为唯一将真菌应用为生物医学材料的案例。灵芝残渣是一种坚韧的纤维。过去,学者对真菌细胞壁的研究也发现真菌细胞壁主要的组成是多糖（Polysaccharide）和几丁质（Chitin）,以及一些类似黑色素（Melanin）的成分。几丁质最早发现在甲壳类之外骨骼,蟹壳几丁质在1992时已发展成为商品化的伤口敷料,对伤口愈合具有优良促进功能。灵芝残渣同样含有几丁质,其以热碱（IN NaOH 90oC）去除残余脂蛋白、核酸、脂肪再以过氧化氢漂白去除黑色素,再做成模膜,是一种滤纸状多孔性白色薄膜。此一薄膜几丁质的含量约在40%~50%,其余为以葡萄糖为主的多糖（50%~60%）的复合体,称之为SACCHACHITIN。经过一连串的细胞试验、动物试验、人体试验证实具有生物兼容性、生物降解性、并无过敏性及抗体反应;同时对急性及慢性皮肤创伤均具有极优良的愈合促进作用。其作用机理在于吸附伤口中由人体免疫细胞所产生过量的金属型基质蛋白水解脢（MMP）,以及细菌所产生的蛋白水解脢,避免细菌感染,结束发炎反应,提早进入肉芽组织生长期。此作用也会保护生长因子（Growth factors,TGF,PDGF和VEGF）不受破坏而加速愈合。SACCHACHITIN的专利已进行技术转移;目前产品以镭射（激光）除斑手术的术后修复面膜,以及化妆品为商品诉求。