Chitosan is a substance that comes from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans. It is processed by removing the shells from the shellfish like lobster, shrimp and crab. Chitosan is known in the science world as the “fat magnet” because of the fact that it is a fat inhibitor, useful for those who want to lose body fat. How and when was Chitosan discovered? Let’s consider the following passage. 

Chitosan (pronounced Kite-O-San) can be traced back to 1811 when “chitin”, from which it is derived, was first discovered by Braconnot, then a professor of natural history in France.  According to some research, while Braconnot was conducting research on mushrooms, he isolated what was later to be called chitin.

Some 20 years later, there was a man who authored an article on insects in which he noted that similar substance was present in the structure of insects, as well as the structure of plants.  He then called this amazing substance “chitin”.   Basically, the name chitin is derived from Greek, meaning “tunic” or “envelope”.   The concept was further known in 1843 when Lassaigne demonstrated the presence of nitrogen in chitin. 

After the discovery of chitin, the name “chitosan” emerged on the scene.  It was first discovered by Rouget while experimenting with chitin.  Accordingly, Rouget observed that the compound of chitin could be manipulated through chemical and temperature treatments for it to become soluble.  Then, it was in 1878 when Ledderhose identified chitin to be made of glucosamine and acetic acid.   It was not actually until 1894 that Hoppe-Seyler named the tailored chitin, chitosan. 

By the early 20^th century, chitosan became the subject of study by most researchers. They involved sources of chitin, including crab shells and fungai.   It was the work of Rammelberg in the 1930s that led to the confirmation on the identity of chitosan from these sources.  It was also noted that by hydrolyzing chitin in a number of ways, it was determined by experts that chitin is a polysaccharide of glucosamine. 

In the 1950s, the use of x-ray analysis had advanced the study of the occurrence of chitin or chitosan in fungai.  However, it is only the most advanced technologies that proved the most reliable in identifying the presence of chitin, as well as cellulose, in the cell walls.   The first book on chitosan was published 140 years after the initial observation of Braconnot, and that was in 1951. 

In the early 1960s, chitosan was investigated for its ability to bind with red blood cells.  At that time also, the substance was considered as a hemostatic agent.   Then, for the past three decades, chitosan has been used at water purification plants for detoxifying water.  It is spread over the surface where it absorbs greases, oils, and other potential toxins.

Now, chitosan is popular as an aid for weight loss. Many people make it their dietary supplement to block fat. Chitosan is now widely marketed in many parts of Europe and Japan, and continue to spread as its popularity as a fat inhibitor continues to be known worldwide.