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Chitosan in Cosmetics
Chitosan in Dietary Supplements
Chitosan in Agriculture
Trusted Across Diverse Industries
Our chitosan materials support research, formulation and manufacturing applications worldwide.
A Powerful Natural Biopolymer for Health and the Environment
Chitosan is a naturally derived biopolymer with a unique positive ionic charge. This property enables it to interact with negatively charged substances, including microbes, dietary fats, microplastics, toxins and heavy metals.
What Makes Chitosan Different?
Chitosan is a natural substance and a biopolymer derived from chitin. Chitin is the second most abundant natural material after cellulose. It is a structural sugar found in shellfish shells, insect exoskeletons, fungi and certain algae.
Unlike most naturally occurring sugars, chitosan can carry a positive charge. Many pathogens, microplastics, dietary fats, heavy metals and other unwanted compounds are negatively charged.
This electrostatic difference allows chitosan to attract, bind or interact with many negatively charged substances across biological and environmental systems.
This makes chitosan particularly valuable in antimicrobial systems, digestive-health formulations, toxin-binding applications, water purification, agriculture and advanced biomedical materials.
How Chitosan Supports Health and Purification
Chitosan's polymer structure and ionic activity make it useful in several important health, nutritional and environmental applications.
Dietary Fiber Support
Chitosan may serve as a natural dietary fiber ingredient that supports digestive-health and gut microbiome formulations for humans and animals.
Digestive HealthToxin Binding
Its polymer structure enables chitosan powder to interact with toxins and other unwanted compounds within digestive and purification systems.
Binding TechnologyHeavy Metal Removal
Chitosan can interact with negatively charged metals, including lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium, making it valuable in environmental purification.
Environmental ProtectionMicroplastic Management
Chitosan-based flocculants and binding systems are being evaluated for microplastic capture, water clarification and advanced filtration applications.
Water TreatmentWater-Soluble Chitosan for Modern Applications
Ultra-low molecular weight, high degree of deacetylation chitosan hydrochloride offers improved solubility and is widely considered for food, animal-feed, nutraceutical and digestive-health formulations.
Its positive ionic charge may support interactions with negatively charged compounds such as dietary fats, microplastics and selected toxins.
Reliable performance begins with controlled specifications.
- Consistent purity
- Controlled degree of deacetylation
- Defined molecular weight
- Reliable source and origin
- Application-specific grades
One Biopolymer, Multiple Industries
Beyond nutritional applications, chitosan is used and studied across biomedical, agricultural, food, environmental and cosmetic systems.
Drug Delivery
Chitosan nanoparticles and delivery systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical research.
Wound Care
Hemostatic dressings, wound-management materials and advanced biomaterial systems.
Food Preservation
Edible coatings, freshness-support applications and moisture-management technologies.
Agriculture
Plant protection, seed treatment, crop-support and biostimulant formulations.
Water Treatment
Flocculation, filtration, heavy-metal binding and microplastic-management applications.
Cosmetics
Hair care, skin care, film-forming and personal-care formulation applications.
Characterized Materials for Research, Formulation and Manufacturing
Our insect-derived and fungal chitosans provide clean, sustainable and reproducible sourcing options for manufacturers, formulators and research organizations.
We provide low molecular weight chitosan from fungal, insect and shellfish origins, along with derivatives such as carboxymethyl chitosan, chitosan oligosaccharide and water-soluble chitosan salts.
Controlled molecular weight specifications
Defined degree of deacetylation
Multiple origins and derivative families
Support for industrial and research applications
Our Complete Product Catalog
Explore native chitosan and advanced derivative grades for pharmaceutical, agricultural, food, cosmetic, medical and industrial applications. Product documentation is available directly from each card.
Native Chitosan
Chitosan Hydrochloride
Chitosan Oligosaccharide
Carboxymethyl Chitosan
Quaternary Chitosan
Trimethyl Chitosan
Sulphonated Chitosan
Phosphorylated Chitosan
High Zeta Potential Chitosan
Advanced Biopolymer Solutions for Agriculture, Environmental Recovery and Industry
We supply high-performance chitosan materials and integrated biological solutions for water treatment, soil regeneration, agricultural applications, formulation and specialty markets.
Mother Ferment Cleaning System
A biological cleaning and remediation platform developed for soil recovery, odor management, environmental cleanup and large-scale commercial applications.
Explore Mother FermentMushroom Chitosan Oligosaccharide
A low-molecular-weight, water-soluble chitosan ingredient for agriculture, nutrition, product development and specialty formulation applications.
View COS ProductBiochar Materials
Carbon-rich biochar grades for soil improvement, regenerative agriculture, contaminant management, filtration and environmental applications.
Explore BiocharRegenerative Microbial Solutions
Advanced microbial and biological systems designed to support ecological restoration, agricultural performance and sustainable environmental management.
Visit NaturaSolvePractical Performance Across Remediation Systems
Contaminant Reduction with Chitosan Technology
Advanced chitosan flocculant water treatment and soil remediation solutions can reduce contaminants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and microplastics. Chitosan’s natural biopolymer adsorption properties help bind pollutants and improve environmental cleanup efficiency.
Integrated Biochemical Remediation Platforms
Our remediation systems combine chitosan polymers, biochar carbon adsorbents, and microbial treatment systems to support industrial wastewater treatment, agricultural soil recovery, and environmental remediation projects.
Cost Savings Compared to Conventional Remediation
Using chitosan-based remediation technology can reduce costs by up to 60% compared with excavation, chemical treatment, and traditional water purification systems while delivering sustainable soil restoration and wastewater treatment performance.
Biochemical Systems Engineered for Environmental Recovery
Our advanced environmental technologies integrate chitosan biopolymers, carbon-rich biochar materials, and regenerative microbial systems to restore contaminated ecosystems. These solutions are designed to support soil remediation, water treatment, agricultural soil recovery, and environmental restoration across municipal, industrial, and agricultural environments.
By combining natural chitin-derived chitosan polymers, high-surface carbon materials, and beneficial microbial activity, our systems help stabilize contaminants, improve soil fertility, and enhance long-term ecological resilience.
Chitosan-Based Biopolymers
Our chitosan polymer technologies, derived from natural chitin sources such as shellfish, mushroom chitosan, and insect chitin, provide powerful adsorption and chelation performance. These water-soluble chitosan biopolymers are widely used for chitosan flocculant water treatment, heavy metal removal, turbidity control, soil stabilization, and irrigation water purification. Agricultural applications include agricultural chitosan treatments and chitosan for plants, helping improve crop resilience while reducing environmental contamination.
Carbon-Rich Biochar Materials
Our engineered biochar carbon adsorbents provide high-surface-area filtration designed to capture pollutants from contaminated soils and wastewater. These materials enhance soil structure, carbon sequestration, water retention, and microbial habitat development. Used alongside chitosan remediation technologies, biochar helps remove hydrocarbons, pesticides, and industrial pollutants while improving soil regeneration and agricultural productivity.
Regenerative Microbial Consortia
Our microbial remediation systems are designed to degrade organic contaminants and restore biological activity in degraded environments. These microbial consortia support soil carbon regeneration, pollutant biodegradation, and sustainable land recovery. When combined with chitosan biopolymers and carbon adsorbent technologies, these systems create integrated platforms for industrial wastewater treatment, soil remediation, and ecological restoration.
Industry Applications
Discover how chitosan oligosaccharides transform across industries
Biomedical & Drug Delivery
Advanced biocompatible carriers for targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
- Chitosan IG
- Phosphorylated Chitosan
- Quaternary Chitosan
Agriculture & Crop Enhancement
Natural bio-stimulants that enhance nutrient uptake, strengthen immunity, and increase crop yields.
- RY-COS90
- NY-COS
- Agricultural Grade Oligosaccharides
Animal Feed & Aquaculture
Promote digestive health, improve feed conversion, enhance immunity in livestock and fish farming.
- RX-H85 Feed Grade
- Chitosan Hydrochloride
- Oligosaccharide Lactate
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Natural moisturizing agents, anti-aging ingredients, and skin health enhancers for premium formulations.
- Chitosan FG
- NUGLY Cosmetic Grade
- Sulphonated Chitosan
Food & Nutraceutical
Clean-label functional ingredients providing prebiotic benefits and natural preservation.
- Food Grade Oligosaccharides
- Chitosan Hydrochloride
- Native Chitosan Variants
Water Treatment & Environment
Sustainable bioadsorbents for water purification and environmental remediation applications.
- Powder Biochar
- Small Biochar
- Industrial Grade Derivatives
Solving Global Challenges with Chitosan
Industrial-Scale Solutions for Environmental and Agricultural Remediation
Chitosan Protection for Agricultural Crops
See how chitosan-based technologies can support crop protection, plant resilience and modern agricultural production systems.
Brownfield & Industrial Site Restoration
Our chitosan-based soil remediation technologies help restore contaminated brownfield and industrial sites using advanced chitosan biopolymer adsorption systems. These solutions bind heavy metals, hydrocarbons, VOCs, pesticides, and mixed industrial contaminants without large-scale excavation.
Using natural chitosan polymers derived from chitin sources, our systems provide powerful metal binding, flocculation, and contaminant stabilization. These technologies support redevelopment projects, infrastructure expansion, and environmental compliance by reducing pollution while improving soil structure and long-term ecological stability.
Chitosan remediation systems are widely used for industrial soil cleanup, environmental restoration, heavy metal removal, and contaminated land rehabilitation.
Agricultural Regeneration
Our agricultural chitosan soil regeneration programs are designed to rebuild degraded farmland and restore long-term soil fertility. By applying chitosan for plants and biochar soil amendments, these biochemical treatments increase soil organic matter, improve nutrient availability, and stimulate beneficial microbial activity.
Chitosan acts as a natural biopolymer soil conditioner that improves water retention, enhances plant resilience, and supports sustainable farming practices. These technologies help reverse decades of chemical soil degradation, pesticide accumulation, and nutrient depletion, enabling healthier crop production and regenerative agriculture.
Farmers and agricultural operators use chitosan-based agricultural treatments to improve soil health, increase nutrient efficiency, and promote stronger crop performance.
Water & Wastewater Treatment
Our chitosan water treatment technologies combine chitosan flocculant systems, carbon filtration materials, and microbial purification processes to remove pollutants from contaminated water sources.
These hybrid systems effectively remove suspended solids, pathogens, nutrients, heavy metals, and dissolved organic contaminants from agricultural runoff, industrial wastewater, and municipal water streams. Because chitosan is a natural biopolymer with strong adsorption and flocculation properties, it is widely used in wastewater clarification, microplastic removal, and industrial effluent treatment.
Using water-soluble chitosan and advanced biochar adsorbents, our treatment platforms provide efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions for industrial water purification, wastewater remediation, and large-scale environmental water treatment systems.
Chitosan Knowledge Center
Explore expert articles, technical resources, application insights, and the latest innovations in chitosan for research and industry.
Chitosan – Produce Coating Sales Support Guide
Plain-English sales guidance for explaining how chitosan coatings work on produce surfaces clearly, confidently, and compliantly. Compliance note: This guide supports quality-maintenance, spoilage-management, and…
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Read ArticleNATURALLY DERIVED MATERIAL CHITOSAN
Naturally Derived. Distinct by Design. Chitosan is a naturally derived polysaccharide, or complex natural sugar, with an unusual property: it carries a positive electrical…
Read ArticleChitosan and Its Derivatives
Start with the front matter and the first three chapters of our practical handbook covering chitosan origins, raw-material sources and the principal derivative families.
and Its
Derivatives
What You Will Read
The preview begins with the handbook’s introductory material and then moves into Part I: The Molecule.
The Foundation of the Handbook
Begin with the context behind the handbook, its terminology and the foundational ideas needed to understand chitosan and its derivatives.
Origins & Timeline
Follow the development of chitosan from its scientific beginnings to its growing role in research, manufacturing and commercial applications.
Continue with Chapter 2 and the Remaining Handbook
Chapter 2 begins with Reading a Certificate of Analysis. Create one free account to continue reading the remaining chapters and access supporting research papers, technical guides, Safety Data Sheets and product documentation.
Why Choose Our Chitosan
Industry-leading standards and unmatched expertise
Research-Based
Formulated with peer-reviewed scientific research and industry standards.
Factory Direct
Direct manufacturing partnerships ensure premium quality and competitive pricing.
COA & MSDS Available
Complete certificates of analysis and safety data sheets for every batch.
ISO Certified Manufacturing
ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and GMP compliant production facilities.
Worldwide Shipping
Reliable global logistics with temperature-controlled transport.
Technical Support
Expert team available for formulation assistance and troubleshooting.
Custom Manufacturing
Tailored products to meet your specific molecular weight and purity needs.
OEM & Private Label
White-label solutions for branded distribution and retail partnerships.
Trusted by global leaders in life sciences
Every batch tested and certified
Diverse applications across industries
Our Biochemical Materials
We supply industrial-grade chitosan biopolymers designed for large-scale environmental remediation, agricultural regeneration, and water treatment systems. Each chitosan type is optimized to target specific contaminants, improve soil health, and enhance water purification performance.
Derived from natural chitin sources such as shellfish, mushroom biomass, and black soldier fly insects, our materials provide reliable chitosan polymer performance for flocculation, adsorption, heavy-metal binding, and soil stabilization. These biochemical materials support industrial wastewater treatment, agricultural soil restoration, irrigation water clarification, and ecological remediation projects.
Shellfish Chitosan
For Soil and Water RemediationOur shellfish-derived chitosan powder is a high-performance chitosan polymer widely used in chitosan water treatment, soil remediation, and environmental cleanup programs. This industrial-grade biopolymer delivers strong adsorption, chelation, and flocculation performance for removing contaminants from soil and water systems.
Shellfish chitosan is commonly used in brownfield restoration, irrigation water clarification, agricultural soil stabilization, and industrial wastewater treatment. Available in multiple molecular weight grades including low molecular weight chitosan, it provides flexible solutions for large-scale environmental remediation.
Key Advantages
- Strong chelation for heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial contaminants
- Proven performance in environmental remediation and chitosan flocculant water treatment
- Cost-effective for large agricultural and environmental restoration projects
- Available in multiple molecular weight and specification grades
Mushroom Chitosan
For Regenerative Agriculture & Sensitive EnvironmentsOur mushroom chitosan (vegan chitosan) is a plant-derived biopolymer sourced from fungal chitin, making it ideal for organic farming, ecological restoration, and clean-label agricultural inputs. This material supports sustainable farming practices and is commonly used as agricultural chitosan for plants and soil biology stimulation.
Mushroom chitosan improves soil microbial activity, nutrient efficiency, and plant resilience, helping farmers transition toward regenerative and sustainable agriculture systems.
Key Advantages
- 100% plant-based chitosan biopolymer suitable for organic agriculture
- Enhances soil microbiome activity and crop resilience
- Ideal for organic farming and sustainable agriculture applications
- Stable performance for foliar sprays, soil amendments, and irrigation systems
BSF Chitosan
High-Purity Biopolymer for Advanced Environmental ApplicationsOur BSF (Black Soldier Fly) chitosan is a high-purity insect-derived chitosan polymer produced through sustainable bioprocessing. This pharmaceutical-grade material offers exceptional consistency for precision environmental remediation, advanced water treatment, and biochemical formulations.
Because of its high purity and controlled structure, BSF chitosan is widely used in advanced chitosan derivatives such as carboxymethyl chitosan, chitosan hydrochloride, and chitosan nanoparticles for specialized applications.
Key Advantages
- Ultra-high purity chitosan (>99.9%) for advanced biochemical applications
- Ideal for custom chitosan derivatives (TMC, COS, HCl, etc.)
- Enhanced solubility and batch consistency for water-soluble chitosan formulations
- Produced using sustainable insect-based chitin bioprocessing
Projects Underway
Field Trials
Banana Packaging
Chitosan edible coating technology is applied to freshly harvested bananas before export packaging to prevent microbial spoilage during long-distance shipping. This natural chitosan antimicrobial coating, derived from chitin biopolymers, forms a protective barrier that suppresses pathogens and slows fruit degradation.
The treatment improves shelf life, reduces fungal contamination, and protects bananas during international transportation, making it a sustainable solution for agricultural preservation and food packaging applications using chitosan biopolymers.
Soil Regeneration
Our chitosan soil remediation system combines nutrient-inoculated biochar carbon adsorbents with chitosan biopolymers to restore contaminated soils. When applied to polluted land, the system adsorbs PFAS, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other industrial contaminants while supporting microbial soil regeneration.
The combined chitosan adsorption and biochar filtration platform also suppresses harmful pathogens and improves soil structure, providing an effective technology for brownfield site restoration and environmental remediation projects.
Coffee Rust Program
Field trials using agricultural chitosan foliar sprays have demonstrated significant protection against coffee leaf rust and fungal plant diseases in tropical environments. The chitosan fungicide biopesticide formulation stimulates plant immune responses and creates a protective antimicrobial layer on plant surfaces.
Under heavy rainfall conditions, the treatment achieved up to 90% reduction in fungal infection, showing strong potential for sustainable crop protection and organic farming systems using chitosan for plants.
Garden Results
Advanced plant treatments combining carboxymethyl chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) have shown rapid recovery of plants affected by fungal pathogens. These water-soluble chitosan derivatives stimulate plant defense pathways, enhance nutrient uptake, and accelerate plant regeneration.
A single application restored plant health and growth performance, demonstrating the effectiveness of chitosan-based plant biostimulants for garden crops, horticulture, and regenerative agriculture systems.
About Chitosan Global
Chitosan Global, a division of Shield Nutraceuticals, develops advanced chitosan-based biochemical materials designed for large-scale soil remediation, agricultural regeneration, and water treatment systems. Our technologies use high-performance chitosan polymers derived from natural chitin sources to bind contaminants, stabilize polluted soils, and improve environmental recovery projects across agricultural, industrial, and municipal environments.
Our mission is to supply industrial-grade chitosan derivatives, water-soluble chitosan formulations, carbon adsorbents, and microbial-compatible remediation technologies that restore contaminated land, regenerate soil ecosystems, and enhance chitosan flocculant water treatment performance. These systems are widely used for heavy metal removal, pollutant adsorption, agricultural soil recovery, and industrial wastewater purification, providing sustainable environmental restoration solutions worldwide.
We collaborate with:
- environmental consultants specializing in soil remediation and environmental cleanup projects
- agricultural operations implementing agricultural chitosan solutions for regenerative farming
- water treatment facilities using chitosan flocculant systems for wastewater purification
- brownfield developers restoring contaminated industrial land using chitosan remediation technologies
- government agencies and private restoration programs focused on environmental sustainability and ecological recovery
Global Manufacturing Excellence
Transparent, ISO-certified process from raw material to delivery
Raw Material Selection
Premium sustainable shellfish sourced from certified suppliers
Extraction
Advanced enzymatic and chemical extraction for maximum purity
Purification
Multi-stage purification using chromatography and filtration
Quality Control
Rigorous testing of molecular weight, DDA, and microbial content
Packaging
Desiccant-sealed containers in controlled environment storage
Worldwide Shipping
Temperature-monitored logistics with full traceability
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our chitosan products, technical specifications, samples, documentation and shipping.
Chitosan is used in crop protection, seed treatment, drug delivery, wound care, water purification, cosmetic formulations, food preservation, biomedical research, and heavy metal adsorption. Different molecular weights and derivatives are designed for different applications.
The best derivative depends on your application. Native chitosan is widely used for industrial and agricultural purposes, while water-soluble derivatives, chitosan oligosaccharides, carboxymethyl chitosan, quaternary chitosan, trimethyl chitosan, sulphonated chitosan, and phosphorylated chitosan are designed for specialized pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biomedical, and research applications.
Native chitosan dissolves in dilute acidic solutions, while water-soluble chitosan dissolves directly in water without additional acidification. Water-soluble grades are commonly selected for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, and biomedical formulations.
The performance of chitosan depends on several technical parameters, including molecular weight (MW), degree of deacetylation (DDA), viscosity, purity, degree of substitution (DS), and the specific derivative selected for the intended application.
Yes. We provide Certificates of Analysis (COA), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Technical Data Sheets (TDS), and additional documentation for most products upon request.
Yes. Sample quantities are available for most chitosan products to support laboratory evaluation, formulation development, pilot production, and qualification testing.
Yes. Chitosan Global supplies customers worldwide and supports research institutions, manufacturers, distributors, and industrial buyers with international shipping and export documentation.
Yes. Depending on the product, we can provide customized molecular weight, viscosity, degree of deacetylation (DDA), purity, and other specifications for commercial and research applications.
Let’s Discuss Your Application
Tell us about your product, research, formulation, or environmental restoration requirements. Our team will help you identify the appropriate chitosan material and next steps.
Tell Us How We Can Help
Complete the form and provide a short description of your intended application. A member of our team will respond with relevant product or technical guidance.
Your information is used only to respond to your inquiry and support your project requirements.