A natural polymer derived from chitin that has many industrial and medical uses, including water purification, wound healing, and food preservation.
Created from 'chitin' plus the suffix '-osan,' derived by deacetylation (chemical removal of acetyl groups) from chitin. The term was coined in the early 20th century as scientific understanding of biomaterials advanced.
Chitosan is a remarkable example of biomimicry becoming practical technology—scientists took the material from shrimp shells and insect exoskeletons and transformed it into a wonder-material that purifies water, heals wounds, and reduces food waste with zero petrochemicals.
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