Fungal Chitosan

Product Name: Fungal Chitosan
Sources: Mushrooms, Aspergillus niger, etc.
CAS No.: 9012-76-4
EINECS No.: 222-311-2
Molecular Formula: (C6H11NO4)n=(161)n

1. Brief Introduction:
Fungal Chitosan is a natural high molecular weight polysaccharide extracted from the cell wall of fungi (such as mushrooms or Aspergillus niger), and is a special source of chitosan. Chitosan is the product of chitin after deacetylation, and chitin is widely present in the exoskeleton of crustaceans (such as shrimps and crabs) and the cell wall of fungi. Compared with traditional animal-derived chitosan, fungal chitosan has some special properties and application potential due to its unique source.

2. Source and Preparation:
1) Source: Fungal chitosan is mainly extracted from the cell wall of fungi. Common fungal sources include:
① Mushrooms: such as shiitake mushrooms (shiitakes) and Agaricus bisporus.
② Filamentous fungi: such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae.
③ Yeast: such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
2) Preparation Process:
① Cultivate fungi: Cultivate fungi on a large scale through fermentation technology.
② Extract chitosan: Remove proteins, lipids and other impurities in the fungal cell wall through chemical or biological methods to retain chitosan.
③ Deacetylation: Treat chitosan with a strong base (such as NaOH) to remove some acetyl groups and convert it into chitosan.

3. Characteristics:
1) Biocompatibility: non-toxic to the human body, biodegradable, suitable for medical and food applications.
2) Antibacterial: inhibits bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms.
3) Film-forming: can form thin films or gels, used for coatings or drug carriers.
4) Adsorption: can adsorb heavy metal ions or dyes, used in the field of environmental protection.
5) pH responsiveness: dissolves under acidic conditions and can be used for targeted drug delivery.

4. Application Areas:
1) Medicine & Health:
① Wound dressings: promote healing and inhibit infection.
② Drug delivery: as a nanoparticle carrier, control drug release.
③ Immunomodulation: may enhance immune response or inhibit inflammation.
2) Food Industry:
① Natural preservatives: extend the shelf life of food.
② Dietary supplements: assist in lowering blood lipids or regulating intestinal health.
3) Agriculture:
① Plant disease resistance inducer: enhance crop antifungal ability.
② Seed coating: improve germination rate.
4) Environmental Protection:
① Sewage treatment: adsorb heavy metals or organic pollutants.
② Degradable materials: replace plastic packaging.

5. Advantages of Fungal Chitosan (Mushroom Chitosan):
★ Sustainability: Fungi can be produced quickly through fermentation, reducing dependence on marine crustacean resources.
★ Suitable for Vegetarians/Allergic People: Avoids crustacean allergens and meets the needs of vegetarians & vegans.
★ Controllable Structure: By adjusting the fungal species or culture conditions, the molecular weight, deacetylation degree and other parameters of chitosan can be customized.

6. Research Progress:
In recent years, the application of fungal chitosan in biomedical engineering (such as 3D printing scaffolds) and precision agriculture has attracted much attention. In addition, its combination with nanotechnology (such as chitosan nanoparticles) also shows potential in the field of targeted therapy and gene delivery.

7. Packaging:
20g/Bag, 50g/Bag, 100g/Bag, 500g/Bag, 1kg/Bag, 5kg/Carton, 10kg/Carton or according to the specific requirements from the customers.

8. Storage & Transportation:
Sealed packaging. Store in a dry, clean, cool place. When transporting, load and unload lightly, and shall not be mixed with harmful, poisonous and easily polluting items, and it is strictly prohibited to be exposed to rain.

9. Shelf Life:
24 months from the date of manufacturing when stored under the above conditions.