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Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Preparation of Expanded Chitin Foams and their Use in the Removal of Aqueous Copper

Preparation of Expanded Chitin Foams and their Use in the Removal of Aqueous Copper

Published on: February 27, 2021

Chitin and chitosan from Basidiomycetes.

F Di Mario¹, P Rapanà, U Tomati

¹Istituto di Biologia Agroambientale e Forestale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, RM Italy.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

|November 21, 2007

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fungal biomass from Basidiomycetes species can be a viable source for chitin and chitosan production. The extracted fungal chitin and chitosan exhibit properties comparable to commercial products.

More Related Videos

Measurement of Chitinase Activity in Biological Samples

Measurement of Chitinase Activity in Biological Samples

Published on: August 22, 2019

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Preparation of Expanded Chitin Foams and their Use in the Removal of Aqueous Copper

Preparation of Expanded Chitin Foams and their Use in the Removal of Aqueous Copper

Published on: February 27, 2021

Measurement of Chitinase Activity in Biological Samples

Measurement of Chitinase Activity in Biological Samples

Published on: August 22, 2019

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Mycology
Materials Science

Background:

Chitin and chitosan are valuable biopolymers with diverse applications.
Exploring alternative, sustainable sources for these materials is crucial.
Fungal mycelium represents a potential, underutilized biomass resource.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the feasibility of using Basidiomycetes fungal biomass for chitin and chitosan extraction.
To characterize the properties of fungal-derived chitin and chitosan.
To compare these fungal biopolymers with commercially available counterparts.

Main Methods:

Isolation of chitinous material from the mycelium of seven Basidiomycetes species.
Characterization of purity, degree of acetylation, and crystallinity of the isolated chitin.
Chemical deacetylation of fungal chitin to produce chitosan.
Analysis of chitosan's degree of acetylation.

Main Results:

Chitin yields varied from 8.5% to 19.6% of dry fungal biomass.
Chitosan yields were approximately 1% of dry fungal biomass.
Fungal chitins showed characteristics similar to commercial chitin.
Obtained fungal chitosans had a low degree of acetylation, comparable to commercial chitosan.

Conclusions:

Basidiomycetes fungal mycelium is a suitable source for chitin production.
Fungal chitin can be effectively converted into chitosan with properties similar to commercial chitosan.
This study supports the potential of fungal biomass as a sustainable source for chitin and chitosan.