Chitin


Chitin (C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>13</sub>O<sub>5</sub>N)<sub>n</sub> (IPA: ) is a long-chain polymeric polysaccharide of beta-glucose that forms a hard, semitransparent material found throughout the natural world. Chitin is the main component of the cell walls of fungi. It is also a major component of the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as the crustaceans (e.g. crab, lobster, and shrimp), and the insects (e.g. ants, beetles, and butterflies), and of the beaks of cephalopods (e.g. squids, and octopuses). Chitin has also proven useful for several medical and industrial purposes.