Author
Listed:
- Sruthi Sreekumar
(University of Münster
National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark
University of Leeds)
- Jasper Wattjes
(University of Münster
National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark)
- Anna Niehues
(University of Münster)
- Tamara Mengoni
(University of Münster)
- Ana C. Mendes
(National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark)
- Edwin R. Morris
(University College Cork)
- Francisco M. Goycoolea
(University of Münster
University of Leeds)
- Bruno M. Moerschbacher
(University of Münster)
Abstract
Chitosans are versatile biopolymers with multiple biological activities and potential applications. They are linear copolymers of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine defined by their degree of polymerisation (DP), fraction of acetylation (FA), and pattern of acetylation (PA). Technical chitosans produced chemically from chitin possess defined DP and FA but random PA, while enzymatically produced natural chitosans probably have non-random PA. This natural process has not been replicated using biotechnology because chitin de-N-acetylases do not efficiently deacetylate crystalline chitin. Here, we show that such enzymes can partially N-acetylate fully deacetylated chitosan in the presence of excess acetate, yielding chitosans with FA up to 0.7 and an enzyme-dependent non-random PA. The biotech chitosans differ from technical chitosans both in terms of physicochemical and nanoscale solution properties and biological activities. As with synthetic block co-polymers, controlling the distribution of building blocks within the biopolymer chain will open a new dimension of chitosan research and exploitation.
Suggested Citation
Sruthi Sreekumar & Jasper Wattjes & Anna Niehues & Tamara Mengoni & Ana C. Mendes & Edwin R. Morris & Francisco M. Goycoolea & Bruno M. Moerschbacher, 2022.
"Biotechnologically produced chitosans with nonrandom acetylation patterns differ from conventional chitosans in properties and activities,"
Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
Handle:
RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34483-3
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34483-3
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