Food Science and Technology Program, Department of Life Sciences, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China.
Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada.
J Agric Food Chem. 2024 Aug 7;72(31):17138-17152. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c02162. Epub 2024 Jul 23.
Chitin and chitosan are mostly derived from the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and fungi. Chitin is the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, and it is a fibrous polysaccharide which resists enzymatic degradation in the stomach but undergoes microbial fermentation in the colon, producing beneficial metabolites. Chitosan, which is more soluble in the alkaline small intestine, is more susceptible to enzymatic action. Both biopolymers show limited absorption into the bloodstream, with smaller particles exhibiting better bioavailability. The health effects include anti-inflammatory properties, potential in immune system modulation, impacts on cholesterol levels, and antimicrobial effects, with a specific focus on implications for gut health. Chitin and chitosan exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by interacting with immune cells, influencing cytokine production, and modulating immune responses, which may benefit conditions characterized by chronic inflammation. These biopolymers can impact cholesterol levels by binding to dietary fats and reducing lipid absorption. Additionally, their antimicrobial properties contribute to gut health by controlling harmful pathogens and promoting beneficial gut microbiota. This review explores the extensive health benefits and applications of chitin and chitosan, providing a detailed examination of their chemical compositions, dietary sources, and applications, and critically assessing their health-promoting effects in the context of human well-being.
壳聚糖和几丁聚糖主要来源于甲壳类动物、昆虫和真菌的外骨骼。壳聚糖是仅次于纤维素的第二大丰富生物聚合物，是一种纤维状多糖，在胃中抵抗酶的降解，但在结肠中经历微生物发酵，产生有益的代谢物。几丁聚糖在碱性的小肠中更易溶解，更容易受到酶的作用。这两种生物聚合物都很少被吸收到血液中，较小的颗粒表现出更好的生物利用度。其健康影响包括抗炎特性、对免疫系统调节的潜在作用、对胆固醇水平的影响以及抗菌作用，特别关注对肠道健康的影响。壳聚糖和几丁聚糖通过与免疫细胞相互作用、影响细胞因子的产生和调节免疫反应来发挥抗炎特性，这可能有益于慢性炎症特征的疾病。这些生物聚合物可以通过与膳食脂肪结合并减少脂质吸收来影响胆固醇水平。此外，它们的抗菌特性通过控制有害病原体和促进有益的肠道微生物群来促进肠道健康。本综述探讨了壳聚糖和几丁聚糖的广泛健康益处和应用，详细检查了它们的化学组成、饮食来源和应用，并在人类健康的背景下对其促进健康的作用进行了批判性评估。
