Chitin and Chitinases (Experientia Supplementum)
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Chitin, an insoluble linear polymer of ß-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues, is the most abundant nitrogen-bearing organic compound found in nature: it is a common constituent of insect exoskeletons, shells of crustaceans and fungal cell walls. After a short presentation of this polysaccharide in the environment, the first part of this work is devoted to chitin biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo.
The second part of the book is devoted to chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14), which split the ß-1,4-glucosidic bonds of chitin just as, in a less pronounced manner, lysozymes also do. Biochemical, structural and evolutionary aspects concerning chitinases are discussed in turn. Chitin-containing organisms produce chitinases, but some organisms deprived of chitin also produce chitinases for their defence, such as a wide variety of bacteria and higher plants. These aspects are reviewed in a series of chapters. Mammals do not seem to produce chitinases, but some mammalian chitinase-like proteins are presented. The third part of the book is devoted to chitosan, an important chitin derivative, which occurs in the composition of threads, fibres, films and gels. The agricultural, food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry more and more frequently uses this compound, and some of these aspects are discussed.
Chitin and Chitinases (Experientia Supplementum),P. Jolles,R.A.A. Muzzarelli,Birkhäuser Basel,3764358157,Anthropology - Physical,Carbohydrates,Life Sciences - Biochemistry,Life Sciences - Biology - General,Science,Science/Mathematics,Sociology,Science / Biology
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