Chitin and chitosan : properties and applications *Provides a comprehensive assessment of the isolation properties and applications of chitin and chitosan. *Chitin and chitosan are promising biomaterials with broad applications and a growing market due to their material properties and biological functionalities. *Fields of application for these biopolymers include: medical and pharmaceutical applications like drug and gene delivery implants and tissue engineering wound dressing and building blocks; packaging; food and feed; agricultural; textile; cosmetics; nanoparticles; nanofibers; membranes and water treatment. *Part of the successful Wiley Series in Renewable Resources Sources of chitin and chitosan and their isolation Methods of isolating chitin from sponges (Porifera) Physicochemical properties of chitosan and its degradation products New developments in the analysis of partially acetylated chitosan polymers and oligomers Chitosan based hydrogels Beneficial health effects of chitin and chitosan Antimicrobial properties of chitin and chitosan Enzymes for modification of chitin and chitosan Chitin and chitosan as source of biobased building blocks and chemicals Chemical and enzymatic modification of chitosan to produce new functional materials with improved properties Chitosan based drug delivery systems The application of chitin and its derivatives for the design of advanced medical devices Food applications of chitosan and derivatives Potential of chitosans in the development of edible food packaging The use of chitosan based nanoformulations for controlling fungi during storage of horticultural commodities Chitosan application in textile processing and fabric coating Chitin and chitosan for water purification Chitosan for sensors and electrochemical applications Marketing and regulations of chitin and chitosan from insects.