{"id":34648,"date":"2021-05-09T17:09:25","date_gmt":"2021-05-09T10:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/what-are-chitin-and-chitosan-key-differences-properties-and-applications"},"modified":"2021-05-09T17:09:25","modified_gmt":"2021-05-09T10:09:25","slug":"what-are-chitin-and-chitosan-key-differences-properties-and-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/what-are-chitin-and-chitosan-key-differences-properties-and-applications","title":{"rendered":"What Are Chitin and Chitosan? Key Differences, Properties, and Applications"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>What are chitin and chitosan?<\/strong> Where is chitin found? How is chitosan made, and what is it used for? These are common questions, especially for people interested in shrimp shell by-products, biotechnology, agriculture, food preservation, cosmetics, and medical materials.<\/p>\n<p>In simple terms, <strong>chitin is a natural structural material<\/strong> found in the outer shells of insects, shrimp, crabs, and many other arthropods. <strong>Chitosan is a processed form of chitin<\/strong>, made by treating chitin with an alkaline solution, usually sodium hydroxide. Although the two materials are closely related, their solubility, absorption, and practical uses are different.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at what chitin and chitosan are, how they are produced, and how they differ from each other.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is Chitin?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Chitin<\/strong>, also called <em>kitin<\/em>, is a natural substance that forms the outer skeleton of insects and many shellfish such as shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans. It is one of the most abundant natural polymers in the world and is considered a valuable raw material for many industries.<\/p>\n<p>Chitin is known for several useful properties. It is resistant to fungi, bacteria, and water. It is also biodegradable and generally non-toxic to humans and animals. Because of these features, chitin is widely studied and used in medical materials, wound care products, biodegradable plastics, water treatment, and advanced industrial materials.<\/p>\n<p>Chitin extraction is common in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, where seafood processing is highly developed. Shrimp shells, crab shells, lobster shells, and other seafood by-products are often collected from processing factories and used as low-cost raw materials for chitin production.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related article:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/chitin-from-black-soldier-fly-pupae-a-new-opportunity-from-waste\" rel=\"bookmark\">Chitin Can Be Extracted from Black Soldier Fly Pupae Shells<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Where Is Chitin Found?<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Chitin is mainly found in nature<\/strong>. It forms the hard outer layer, or cuticle, of many crustaceans and insects. In shellfish, chitin is part of a strong biological network that also contains proteins and calcium carbonate, which helps create a hard protective shell.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common chitin-rich sources in Vietnam include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Whiteleg shrimp shells<\/li>\n<li>Black tiger shrimp shells<\/li>\n<li>Lobster shells<\/li>\n<li>Blue swimming crab shells<\/li>\n<li>Sea crab shells<\/li>\n<li>Freshwater crab shells<\/li>\n<li>Insect exoskeletons<\/li>\n<li>Insect pupae shells<\/li>\n<li>Black soldier fly pupae shells<\/li>\n<li>Other crustacean and insect sources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_16888\" style=\"width: 522px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16888\" class=\"wp-image-16887 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chitin-la-ten-cua-chat-cau-tao-nen-bo-xuong-ngoai-cua-con-trung-va-mot-so-dong-vat-nhu-tom-cua....jpg\" alt=\"Chitin is a natural substance that forms the exoskeleton of insects and shellfish such as shrimp and crabs.\" width=\"512\" height=\"775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chitin-la-ten-cua-chat-cau-tao-nen-bo-xuong-ngoai-cua-con-trung-va-mot-so-dong-vat-nhu-tom-cua....jpg 512w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chitin-la-ten-cua-chat-cau-tao-nen-bo-xuong-ngoai-cua-con-trung-va-mot-so-dong-vat-nhu-tom-cua...-150x227.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16888\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chitin is a natural substance that forms the exoskeleton of insects and shellfish such as shrimp and crabs.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Molecular Structure of Chitin<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Chitin<\/strong> has the chemical formula <strong>(C<sub>8<\/sub>H<sub>13<\/sub>O<sub>5<\/sub>N)<sub>n<\/sub><\/strong>. It is a linear polysaccharide made from repeating units of <strong>N-acetyl-D-glucosamine<\/strong> linked together by \u03b2-(1\u21924) bonds.<\/p>\n<p>Its chemical structure is also known as <em>poly[\u03b2-(1\u21924)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose]<\/em>. Chitin molecules form a tightly arranged crystalline fiber network. This strong structure makes chitin chemically stable and less reactive than many other natural polymers.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16890\" style=\"width: 402px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16890\" class=\"wp-image-16889 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/cau-tao-phan-tu-cua-chitin.jpg\" alt=\"Molecular structure of chitin, chemical formula (C8H13O5N)n\" width=\"392\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/cau-tao-phan-tu-cua-chitin.jpg 392w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/cau-tao-phan-tu-cua-chitin-150x135.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16890\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Molecular structure of chitin: (C<sub>8<\/sub>H<sub>13<\/sub>O<sub>5<\/sub>N)<sub>n<\/sub><\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Physical Properties of Chitin<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>State:<\/strong> Solid<\/li>\n<li><strong>Common form:<\/strong> Flakes or powder<\/li>\n<li><strong>Odor and taste:<\/strong> Odorless and tasteless<\/li>\n<li><strong>Melting point:<\/strong> Around 522\u00b0C<\/li>\n<li><strong>Color:<\/strong> Usually white, pinkish-white, or close to the natural color of the original shell material<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_16894\" style=\"width: 853px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16894\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16893\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitin-chat-luong-cao-sau-khi-duoc-lam-sach.jpg\" alt=\"High-quality cleaned chitin flakes produced at a chitin and chitosan factory\" width=\"843\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitin-chat-luong-cao-sau-khi-duoc-lam-sach.jpg 843w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitin-chat-luong-cao-sau-khi-duoc-lam-sach-150x122.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 843px) 100vw, 843px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">High-quality cleaned chitin flakes produced at a chitin and chitosan factory<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Chemical Properties of Chitin<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Chitin is insoluble in water.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin is insoluble in weak acid solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin is insoluble in alkaline solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin has antifungal properties.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin has antibacterial properties.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin is water-resistant.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin is highly biodegradable.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin is generally non-allergenic.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin is generally non-toxic to humans.<\/li>\n<li>Chitin is generally non-toxic to animals.<\/li>\n<li>When heated in concentrated NaOH, chitin can be converted into chitosan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_16896\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16896\" class=\"wp-image-16895\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Hinh-anh-that-Chitin-Chat-luong-cao-o-dang-bot-sau-khi-duoc-lam-sach-va-nghien-min-tai-mot-nha-may-chuyen-san-xuat-Chitin-va-Chitosan.jpg\" alt=\"Cleaned and finely ground chitin powder produced at a chitin and chitosan factory\" width=\"686\" height=\"549\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Hinh-anh-that-Chitin-Chat-luong-cao-o-dang-bot-sau-khi-duoc-lam-sach-va-nghien-min-tai-mot-nha-may-chuyen-san-xuat-Chitin-va-Chitosan.jpg 500w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Hinh-anh-that-Chitin-Chat-luong-cao-o-dang-bot-sau-khi-duoc-lam-sach-va-nghien-min-tai-mot-nha-may-chuyen-san-xuat-Chitin-va-Chitosan-150x120.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 686px) 100vw, 686px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16896\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cleaned and finely ground chitin powder produced at a chitin and chitosan factory<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Common Applications of Chitin<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Used as a raw material to produce chitosan<\/li>\n<li>Used to create modern biomaterials<\/li>\n<li>Used in some types of artificial fibers<\/li>\n<li>Used in disposable contact lenses<\/li>\n<li>Used in biodegradable plastic materials<\/li>\n<li>Used in absorbable surgical sutures<\/li>\n<li>Used in wound dressings and medical bandages<\/li>\n<li>Used in wastewater treatment<\/li>\n<li>Used in optical sensors, electrodes, and supercapacitors<\/li>\n<li>Used in many advanced industrial applications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_16900\" style=\"width: 796px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16900\" class=\"wp-image-16899\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitin-lam-chi-khau-tu-tan-trong-y-khoa.jpg\" alt=\"Chitin can be used in medical materials such as absorbable surgical sutures.\" width=\"786\" height=\"785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitin-lam-chi-khau-tu-tan-trong-y-khoa.jpg 858w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitin-lam-chi-khau-tu-tan-trong-y-khoa-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitin-lam-chi-khau-tu-tan-trong-y-khoa-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16900\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Besides being converted into chitosan, chitin is also used in medical materials such as absorbable surgical sutures.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>What Is Chitosan?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Chitosan is a processed form of chitin<\/strong>. It is usually produced by treating chitin from shrimp, crab, or other crustacean shells with an alkaline solution such as sodium hydroxide. This process is called <strong>deacetylation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Chitosan is non-toxic, biodegradable, and highly biocompatible. Unlike chitin, chitosan can dissolve in weak acid solutions, which makes it easier to use in food, cosmetics, medicine, agriculture, and environmental treatment.<\/p>\n<p>Because it can form films and coatings, chitosan is used in food processing, food preservation, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. In cosmetics, for example, chitosan can help form a thin protective film on the skin, helping retain moisture and support the delivery of active ingredients. It may also be found in shampoos, moisturizers, and nail care products.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Two common types of chitosan include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Deacetylated chitin-chitosan<\/strong> <em>(raw chitosan)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Oligo chitosan<\/strong> <em>(water-soluble chitosan)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_16904\" style=\"width: 1002px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16904\" class=\"wp-image-16903 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/quy-trinh-san-xuat-chitosan.jpg\" alt=\"Chitosan is produced by treating chitin from shrimp, crab, and other crustacean shells with an alkaline solution such as sodium hydroxide.\" width=\"992\" height=\"356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/quy-trinh-san-xuat-chitosan.jpg 992w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/quy-trinh-san-xuat-chitosan-150x54.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16904\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chitosan is produced by treating chitin from shrimp, crab, and other crustacean shells with an alkaline solution such as sodium hydroxide.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Molecular Structure of Chitosan<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Chitosan<\/strong> has the chemical formula <strong>(C<sub>6<\/sub>H<sub>11<\/sub>NO<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>n<\/sub><\/strong>. It is a linear polysaccharide made from <strong>D-glucosamine<\/strong> units and <strong>N-acetyl-D-glucosamine<\/strong> units linked by \u03b2-(1\u21924) bonds.<\/p>\n<p>Chitosan is produced when the acetyl groups in chitin are partly removed through deacetylation, commonly by treating crustacean shells with sodium hydroxide.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16906\" style=\"width: 385px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16906\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16905\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Cau-Truc-Phan-Tu-Cua-Chitosan-ChitosanC6H11NO4n.jpg\" alt=\"Molecular structure of chitosan, chemical formula (C6H11NO4)n\" width=\"375\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Cau-Truc-Phan-Tu-Cua-Chitosan-ChitosanC6H11NO4n.jpg 375w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Cau-Truc-Phan-Tu-Cua-Chitosan-ChitosanC6H11NO4n-150x140.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16906\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Molecular structure of chitosan: (C<sub>6<\/sub>H<sub>11<\/sub>NO<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>n<\/sub><\/p><\/div>\n<h3>How Is Chitosan Made from Chitin?<\/h3>\n<p>In industrial production, chitosan is commonly made through <strong>deacetylation of chitin using sodium hydroxide<\/strong>. Before this step, chitin is usually washed, decolored, and purified. Strong oxidizing agents may be used to remove color and improve the cleanliness of the raw chitin material.<\/p>\n<p>After purification, chitin is heated in concentrated NaOH at high temperature. During this process, acetyl groups are removed from the chitin structure, forming chitosan.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Basic steps for producing chitosan from chitin:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Collection:<\/strong> Collect shells from crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cleaning:<\/strong> Remove impurities and wash the shells with clean water.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Demineralization:<\/strong> Use HCl to remove minerals from the shells.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deproteinization:<\/strong> Use diluted NaOH to remove remaining proteins.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chitosan production:<\/strong> Heat purified chitin in concentrated NaOH to produce chitosan.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/chitosan-extraction-process-from-whiteleg-shrimp-shells\">Chitosan Extraction Process from Whiteleg Shrimp Shells<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16908\" style=\"width: 956px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16908\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16907\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chitosan-duoc-san-xuat-trong-cong-nghiep-bang-phuong-phap-deacetyl-hoa-chitin.jpg\" alt=\"Chitosan is commonly produced in industry through deacetylation of chitin using sodium hydroxide.\" width=\"946\" height=\"341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chitosan-duoc-san-xuat-trong-cong-nghiep-bang-phuong-phap-deacetyl-hoa-chitin.jpg 946w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chitosan-duoc-san-xuat-trong-cong-nghiep-bang-phuong-phap-deacetyl-hoa-chitin-150x54.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16908\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chitosan is commonly produced in industry through deacetylation of chitin using sodium hydroxide.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_17135\" style=\"width: 1225px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17135\" class=\"wp-image-17134 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitosan-duoc-tao-ra-tu-chitin.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of chitin deacetylation in hot sodium hydroxide to produce chitosan\" width=\"1215\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitosan-duoc-tao-ra-tu-chitin.jpg 1215w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitosan-duoc-tao-ra-tu-chitin-150x42.jpg 150w, https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/chitosan-duoc-tao-ra-tu-chitin-1200x336.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1215px) 100vw, 1215px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17135\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illustration of chitin deacetylation in hot sodium hydroxide to produce chitosan<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Physical Properties of Chitosan<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>State:<\/strong> Light, porous, amorphous solid<\/li>\n<li><strong>Common form:<\/strong> Flakes or powder<\/li>\n<li><strong>Odor and taste:<\/strong> Odorless and tasteless<\/li>\n<li><strong>Color:<\/strong> Ivory white or pale yellow<\/li>\n<li><strong>Melting point:<\/strong> Around 309\u2013311\u00b0C<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Chemical Properties of Chitosan<\/h3>\n<p>Chitosan has many useful biological properties. It can show antifungal and antibacterial effects, support cell growth, help with hemostasis, and assist in some biomedical applications. It has also been studied for its potential role in lowering cholesterol and blood lipids, supporting blood pressure management, and other health-related uses. However, these uses should be treated carefully and should not replace medical advice.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chitosan is mildly alkaline.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan is not soluble in water.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan is not soluble in alkaline solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan dissolves easily in weak acid solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan has antifungal properties.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan has antibacterial properties.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan is generally non-allergenic.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan is generally non-toxic to humans.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan is generally non-toxic to animals.<\/li>\n<li>Chitosan can be absorbed by the human body more easily than chitin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Common Applications of Chitosan<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Some of the most valuable applications of chitosan are in medicine and healthcare.<\/strong> Chitosan is used in research and product development for wound care, drug delivery, dental care, food supplements, cosmetics, and biomedical materials.<\/p>\n<p>It has been studied in relation to weight management, cholesterol control, Crohn\u2019s disease, kidney-related complications, anemia, fatigue, appetite support, and sleep problems in certain patient groups. In dentistry, chitosan may be used in gums, mouth-care products, or oral-care materials. In tissue-related medical applications, chitosan can be used as a biocompatible material to support healing and reduce rejection risks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common applications of chitosan include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Used in pharmaceutical products and drug formulation<\/li>\n<li>Used to support certain medical treatments<\/li>\n<li>Used in dietary supplements<\/li>\n<li>Used in food processing and preservation<\/li>\n<li>Used in cosmetics and skincare products<\/li>\n<li>Used as an antibacterial food-packaging material<\/li>\n<li>Used in some insect-repellent formulations<\/li>\n<li>Used in agriculture as a plant-protection and growth-support material<\/li>\n<li>Used in water and wastewater treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Related articles about chitosan applications:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/benefits-and-applications-of-chitosan-in-agriculture\">Benefits and Applications of Chitosan in Agriculture<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/applications-of-chitosan-in-medicine-and-its-practical-health-benefits\">Applications of Chitosan in Medicine and Practical Health Benefits<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What Is the Difference Between Chitin and Chitosan?<\/h2>\n<p>The biggest difference between <strong>chitin<\/strong> and <strong>chitosan<\/strong> is their solubility. <strong>Chitosan dissolves easily in weak acid solutions<\/strong>, while chitin is almost insoluble in water, acid, and alkaline solutions.<\/p>\n<p>Chitosan is also a <strong>N-deacetylated derivative of chitin<\/strong>. It has a lower molecular weight and is easier for the human body to absorb compared with chitin. Because of this, chitosan is used more widely in medicine, cosmetics, food preservation, agriculture, and environmental applications.<\/p>\n<h3>Comparison Table: Chitin vs. Chitosan<\/h3>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><strong>CHITIN<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><strong>CHITOSAN<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Almost insoluble in water, acid solutions, and alkaline solutions<\/td>\n<td>Dissolves easily in weak acid solutions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Raw material used to produce chitosan<\/td>\n<td>A processed form of chitin, also known as a N-deacetylated derivative of chitin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Poorly absorbed by the human body<\/td>\n<td>More easily absorbed by the human body<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Higher molecular weight <em>(M.W. &gt; 1,000 kDa)<\/em><\/td>\n<td>Lower molecular weight <em>(M.W. &gt; 100 kDa)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are chitin and chitosan? Where is chitin found? How is chitosan made, and what is it used for? These<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[183,275],"tags":[335,336],"class_list":["post-34648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-chitosan-en","tag-chitin-en","tag-chitosan-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34648\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kimmyfarm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}