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Spider Chitin: An Ultrafast Microwave-Assisted Method for Chitin Isolation from Spider Molt Cuticle


Abstract

Chitin, as a fundamental polysaccharide in invertebrate skeletons, continues to be actively investigated, especially with respect to new sources and the development of effective methods for its extraction. Recent attention has been focused on marine crustaceans and sponges; however, the potential of spiders (order Araneae) as an alternative source of tubular chitin has been overlooked. In this work, we focused our attention on chitin from up to 12 cm-large Theraphosidae spiders, popularly known as tarantulas or bird-eating spiders. These organisms "lose" large quantities of cuticles during their molting cycle. Here, we present for the first time a highly effective method for the isolation of chitin from spider molt cuticle, as well as its identification and characterization using modern analytical methods. We suggest that the tube-like molt cuticle of this spider can serve as a naturally prefabricated and renewable source of tubular chitin with high potential for application in technology and biomedicine.

Abstract

Chitin, as a fundamental polysaccharide in invertebrate skeletons, continues to be actively investigated, especially with respect to new sources and the development of effective methods for its extraction. Recent attention has been focused on marine crustaceans and sponges; however, the potential of spiders (order Araneae) as an alternative source of tubular chitin has been overlooked. In this work, we focused our attention on chitin from up to 12 cm-large Theraphosidae spiders, popularly known as tarantulas or bird-eating spiders. These organisms "lose" large quantities of cuticles during their molting cycle. Here, we present for the first time a highly effective method for the isolation of chitin from spider molt cuticle, as well as its identification and characterization using modern analytical methods. We suggest that the tube-like molt cuticle of this spider can serve as a naturally prefabricated and renewable source of tubular chitin with high potential for application in technology and biomedicine.

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Item Type:Journal Article, refereed, original work
Communities & Collections:04 Faculty of Medicine > University Hospital Zurich > Clinic for Endocrinology and Diabetology
Dewey Decimal Classification:610 Medicine & health
Scopus Subject Areas:Physical Sciences > Analytical Chemistry
Physical Sciences > Chemistry (miscellaneous)
Life Sciences > Molecular Medicine
Life Sciences > Pharmaceutical Science
Life Sciences > Drug Discovery
Physical Sciences > Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Physical Sciences > Organic Chemistry
Language:English
Date:16 October 2019
Deposited On:30 Oct 2019 10:40
Last Modified:22 Nov 2023 02:40
Publisher:MDPI Publishing
ISSN:1420-3049
OA Status:Gold
Free access at:PubMed ID. An embargo period may apply.
Publisher DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24203736
PubMed ID:31623238
  • Content: Published Version
  • Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)