Chitin biotechnology applications.

This review article describes the current status of the production and consumption of chitin and chitosan, and their current practical applications in biotechnology with some attempted uses. The applications include: 1) cationic agents for polluted waste-water treatment, 2) agricultural materials, 3) food and feed additives, 4) hypocholesterolemic agents, 5) biomedical and pharmaceutical materials, 6) wound-healing materials, 7) blood anticoagulant, antithrombogenic and hemostatic materials, 8) cosmetic ingredients, 9) textile, paper, film and sponge sheet materials, 10) chromatographic and immobilizing media, and 11) analytical reagents.