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* Ion Exchange Media
* Bacterial Immobilizer
* Cosmetic and Shampoo Additive
* Tableting Excipient
* Absorbant for Heavy Metal Removal
Table 5. Industrial Uses of Chitosan
* Absorbs and Binds fat
* Promotes Weigh Loss
* Reduces LDL Cholestrol
* Boosts HDL Cholestrol
* Promotes Wound Healing
* Antibacterial/Anticandida/Antiviral
* Acts as Antacid
* Inhibits the Formation of Plaque/Tooth Decay
* Helps Control Blood Pressure
* Helps Dental Restoration/Recovery
* Helps to Speed Bone Repair
* Improves Calcium Absorption
* Reduces Levels of Uric Acid
Table 6. Health and Nutrition Uses of Chitosan
Water Purification
Chitosan has been used for about three decades in
water purification processes. When chitosan is spread
over oil spills it holds the oil mass together making it easier
to clean up the spill. Water purification plants throughout
the world use chitosan to remove oils, grease, heavy
metals, and fine particulate matter that cause turbidity in
waste water streams.
Fat Binding/Weight Loss
Like some plant fibers, chitosan is not digestible;
therefore it has no caloric value. No matter how much
chitosan you ingest, its calorie count therefore remains at
zero. This is a very important property for any weight-loss
product. Unlike plant fibers, chitosan’s unique properties
give it the ability to significantly bind fat, acting like “fat
sponge” in the digestive tract. Table 7 shows a
comparison of chitosan and other natural fibers and their
ability to inhibit fat absorption.
Under optimal conditions, Chitosan can bind an average
of 4 to 5 times its weight with all the lipid aggregates
tested. (NOTE: This assessment was made without the
addition of ascorbic acid which potentiates this action
even further.) Studies in Helsinki have shown that
individuals taking chitosan lost an average of 8 percent of
their body weight in a 4-week period.
Chitosan has increased oil-holding capacity over other
fibers. Among the abundant natural fibers, chitosan is
unique. This uniqueness is a result of chitosan’s amino
groups which make it an acid absorbing (basic) fiber. Most
natural fibers are neutral or acidic. Table 7 summarizes the
in vivo effects in animals of various fibers on fecal lipid
excretion.
Dietary Fiber % Fat Excreted
Chitosan 50.8 + 21.6
Kapok 8.3 + 1.1
Pectin 7.4 + 1.9
Carrageen 9.6 + 1.9
Sodium Alginate 8.1 + 2.2
Locust Bean 6.0 + 1.8 |
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