Chitin and Chitosan are valuable veriatile natural materials derived from shells of prawns and crabs. The word “Chitin “ comes from the Greek etymology meaning “A Coat Of Mail”. The product was first used by Odier in 1823.

Prof Henri Braconnot of France first discovered chitin in mushrooms in 1811. In 1830s, it was isolated in insects and was named chitin. Prof C. Rouget discovered Chitosan in 1859. In 1930s and 1940s, the polymers attracts considerable attention as evidenced by about 50 patents. Lack of adequate manufacturing facilities and cutthroat competition from synthetic polymers restricted commercial development. Revived interest in the 1970s encouraged the need to better utilze shellfish shells. Several countries worldwide use chitin and chitosan in variety of applications, and today there are more than 2000 applications of chitin and its derivatives.