On chemistry of γ-chitin. (15th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaya, Murat; Mujtaba, Muhammad; Ehrlich, Hermann; Salaberria, Asier M.; Baran, Talat; Amemiya, Chris T.; Galli, Roberta; Akyuz, Lalehan; Sargin, Idris; Labidi, Jalel
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 176(2017)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 186
• Publication Date: 2017-11-15
• Subjects: Chitin -- Alpha -- Beta -- Gamma -- Characterization -- Molecular modelling; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.08.076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Highlights: First detailed physicochemical characterization of γ-chitin was carried-out. The isolated γ-chitin was compared with α and β forms. Chemical structure of the chitins was expressed through Quantum chemical calculations. γ-chitin was found much closer to α-chitin than β-chitin. Abstract: The biological material, chitin, is present in nature in three allomorphic forms: α, β and γ. Whereas most studies have dealt with α- and β-chitin, only few investigations have focused on γ-chitin, whose structural and physicochemical properties have not been well delineated. In this study, chitin obtained for the first time from the cocoon of the moth ( Orgyia dubia ) was subjected to extensive physicochemical analyses and examined, in parallel, with α-chitin from exoskeleton of a freshwater crab and β-chitin from cuttlebone of the common cuttlefish. Our results, which are supported by 13 C CP-MAS NMR, XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, DSC, SEM, AFM, chitinase digestive test and elemental analysis, verify the authenticity of γ-chitin. Further, quantum chemical calculations were conducted on all three allomorphic forms, and, together with our physicochemical analyses, demonstrate that γ-chitin is distinct, yet closer in structure to α-chitin than β-chitin.