Suprastrukturiertes Chitin/Chitosan, Derivate und Konfektionen davon fuer die umweltvertraegliche Materialtechnik, Hochleistungsverbundwerkstoffe und bionische Werkstoffe

Suprastructured chitin/chitosan (I) and its derivatives has: (i) a chitin/chitosan content of 0.01-99.9%, (ii) a glycan content of 0-60% and (iii) a melanin content of 0-40%. Also claimed is a process for producing the above material, comprising isolating chitin or a chitin derivative from plants or animals, treating it with a series of water-miscible organic solvents in order of decreasing boiling point, and drying the product. USE - (I) is used in compositions that may also contain polyphosphates, bio-catalysts, nucleic acids, proteins, cells, drugs and/or organic substances; in composite materials together with biogenic, abiogenic and/or synthetic materials, where the biogenic materials are preferably selected from cellulose, paper, silk, wool, fur and carbon, the abiogenic materials are preferably selected from glass, basalt, metals, magnetisable materials, magnetic materials, electric conductors and ''electrisable'' materials, and the synthetic materials are preferably selected fr om nylon, Perlon and polyurethanes, especially where the composite materials are in the form of wallpaper, floor coverings, clothing, bedding, upholstery or automobile or aeroplane parts; in biochips; in electronic chips; in information systems; in absorbents; for filtration and purification of liquids and gases; for coating interfaces and/or surfaces, especially of plastics; for production of hexosamines and pentosamines, especially D-glucosamine and acetyl-D-glucosamine.