Introduction
The aminoglucan chitin (poly-GlcNAc) is
widely distributed in nature, whereas the
related polysaccharide chitosan (poly-GlcN)
occurs in certain fungi only. Fungal chitin
shows some special features, in particular
with respect to chemical structure and
biosynthesis. Thus, it appears appropriate
to look at fungal chitin and chitosan in their
own rights and to treat them in a separate
chapter.
The basic principles of chitin and chitosan
are treated elsewhere in this volume, and
readers who are not familiar with these
aminoglucans should consult also Chapter
15, this volume (Chitin and Chitosan from
Animal Sources).