CHITIN

A Natural Biopolymer

What is Chitin?

Chitin is the second most abundant natural biopolymer derived from exoskeletons of crustaceans and also from cell walls of fungi and insects.

Chitin is chemically similar to cellulose, which is another polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. It provides rigidity and strength to the structures it composes, such as the protective shells of insects and crustaceans. In addition to its structural role, chitin also serves as a defence mechanism against pathogens and predators.

Why Buy Our Chitin?

Conventional chitin is derived from crustaceans, a source that contributes to pollution, lacks traceability, and exhibits variation in quality.
Our chitin is meticulously extracted from insects we breed ourselves, ensuring uncompromised quality and a truly sustainable source.

Honeycomb Structure

Our chitin is created using a revolutionising technique to extract the purest and highest quality of chitin. The chitin obtained has a unique honeycomb structure making it stronger than the chitin derived from shellfish.

Entoplast's black soldier fly chitin honeycomb structure magnified

Consistent Quality

Our chitin derived from insects have consistent and high-quality properties due to the controlled farming conditions. Crustacean-derived chitin vary in quality based on factors like species, habitat, and extraction methods.

Green Extraction

Our chitin uses an innovative green approach to extract chitin from insects which utilises recyclable natural fluids unlike the traditional method which relies on strong acids to breakdown the minerals on the crustaceans.

Entoplast's black soldier fly chitin in containers

Sustainable and Circular Economy

At Entoplast we use organic waste to feed our insects which convert it into valuable biomass. This creates a closed-loop system where waste is repurposed into valuable chitin resources, diverting organic waste from landfills which cuts green house gases emissions by up to 40%.

Reduced Impact on Ecosystems

Harvesting chitin from crustaceans contributes to overfishing and disrupt marine ecosystems. Insect farming has a smaller ecological footprint and does not contribute to the depletion of natural crustacean populations.

Mass fishing causing damage to environment

Green house gas emissions in the atmosphere

Lower CO2 Emissions

The farming of insects produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to crustacean farming, which often involves energy-intensive processes such as water pumping, aeration, and transportation. The in house production of the insects and shorter supply chain substantially reduces the carbon footprint.

Health Benefits

Shellfish allergy is one of the most common food allergies. Chitin, derived from shellfish, can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Our chitin eliminates the allergic risks associated with shellfish sourced chitin.

Allergy concerns if chitin extracted from shellfish

Get a Quote

Entoplast presents opportunities to produce bespoke specifications of both chitin and chitosan based on requirements

Order or make an enquiry about our products by contacting us at malcolm@entoplast.com or through the contact us form

Applications of Chitin

Wound Dressing

Chitin is a natural polymer that possesses excellent properties that are advantageous for wound dressing namely biocompatibility, biodegradability, haemostatic activity and anti‐infection properties.

Supplements

Chitin supplementation is often used to manage healthy cholesterol levels and body weight. Additional uses of chitin include the support of kidney function.

Cosmetics

Chitosan is commonly used in cosmetic and skin care applications as it helps to maintain skin moisture, tone skin, treat acne, provide extracellular matrix support, and promote the skin's natural barrier function.

Water Purification

Chitosan has many attractive properties such as hydrophobicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity and the presence of very reactive amino (–NH2) and hydroxyl (–OH) groups in its backbone, which makes chitosan to be used as an effective adsorbent material for the removal of wastewater pollutants

Food Packaging

Chitosan due to its antimicrobial, biodegradable, non toxic and anti fungal properties is considered a great natural alternate to the petroleum based plastics that are currently being used for food packaging.

3D Printing

Chitin and Chitosan are being used as bio based materials to create biodegradable filaments for 3D printing. Applications include medical implants such as scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery systems and bio inks for bioprinting tissue like structures.

Pharmaceutical

Chitosan coated tablets improve drug stability and control release ratesChitosan nanoparticles protect insulin in the digestive system for oral delivery

Agriculture

Chitin and chitosan in agriculture act as natural pesticides, soil enhancers, and disease-resistant agents. They extend produce shelf life, improve aquaculture, and reduce chemical pesticides. These materials support eco-friendly farming and erosion control.

Textiles

Chitin and chitosan enhance textiles through antimicrobial, eco-friendly, and functional properties. They offer biodegradability, fire resistance, UV protection, and dyeing capabilities. These versatile materials boost fabric durability and sustainability.

Food and Beverage

Chitosan is used as a fining agent in wine and beer production to remove suspended particles, proteins, and unwanted compounds, resulting in clearer and more stable beverages

Structure of Chitin

Chitin: Nature's Versatile Biomaterial

Chitin is a tough, structural polysaccharide made up of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) molecules, which are linked together by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds.

Chitosan is a derivative of Chitin which is produced by the deacetylation of chitin (poly-(1→4)-N-acetyl-glucosamine)

Chemical structure of Chitin and Chitosan

Properties of Chitin

Biocompatible
Biodegradable
Abundant and Renewable
Antifungal and Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory, wound healing
Structural Rigidity
Hydrophobicity
Immunomodulatory Effects
Chelating Abilities

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