Customizing Properties of β-Chitin in Squid Pen (Gladius) by Chemical Treatments

Marine Drugs

Alessandro Ianiro⁴  Matteo Di Giosia⁴  Simona Fermani⁴  Chiara Samorì⁴  Marianna Barbalinardo³  Francesco Valle³  Graziella Pellegrini¹  Fabio Biscarini²  Francesco Zerbetto⁴  Matteo Calvaresi⁴  Giuseppe Falini⁴ 

[1] Centre for Regenerative Medicine “Stefano Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Gottardi, 100, 41125 Modena, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 183, 41125 Modena, Italy; E-Mail:;National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Nanostructured Materials (ISMN), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy; E-Mails:;Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; E-Mails:

关键词: β-chitin;    hierarchical structure;    squid pen;    deacetylation;    mechanical properties;    wettability;    porosity;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md12125979

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The squid pen (gladius) from the Loligo vulgaris was used for preparation of β-chitin materials characterized by different chemical, micro- and nano-structural properties that preserved, almost completely the macrostructural and the mechanical ones. The β-chitin materials obtained by alkaline treatment showed porosity, wettability and swelling that are a function of the duration of the treatment. Microscopic, spectroscopic and synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques showed that the chemical environment of the N-acetyl groups of the β-chitin chains changes after the thermal alkaline treatment. As a consequence, the crystalline packing of the β-chitin is modified, due to the intercalation of water molecules between β-chitin sheets. Potential applications of these β-chitin materials range from the nanotechnology to the regenerative medicine. The use of gladii, which are waste products of the fishing industry, has also important environmental implications.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.