Chitosan Oligosaccharide – (Shellfish)

Shellfish Chitosan Oligosaccharide (COS) — Food & Industrial Grade Powder

Shellfish Chitosan Oligosaccharide (COS) is a low-molecular-weight, water-soluble chitosan powder produced from shrimp and crab shell chitin. Chitosan Global supplies it in Food Grade and Industrial Grade specifications, with a 25 g sample available for formulation trials and 1 kg and bulk quantities for scale-up, each shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Buyer Snapshot

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What Is Shellfish COS?

Chitin from shrimp and crab shell is deacetylated into chitosan, then broken down into short chains through enzymatic (and sometimes controlled acid) hydrolysis. The result chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is a fraction of native chitosan’s chain length, typically 2–10 monomer units. That shorter chain is what makes COS fully water-soluble at neutral pH, unlike native chitosan, which only dissolves in acid.

For the full breakdown of chitin-to-COS chemistry, sourcing tradeoffs, and application detail, see the complete guide to Shellfish Chitosan Oligosaccharide.

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Technical Specifications

Specifications vary by grade and production batch. Always confirm against the current Certificate of Analysis before formulating or ordering at volume.

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Why Molecular Weight Matters

Molecular weight governs how a chitosan ingredient behaves once it’s in a formulation. Native, high-MW chitosan forms viscous solutions and only dissolves in acid. COS’s shorter chain length dissolves readily in neutral water and disperses faster in processing, which is why it’s the preferred chitosan format where rapid solubility and low-viscosity handling matter, such as beverages, feed premixes, and spray applications. Lower molecular weight changes solubility and handling characteristics; it does not automatically translate into higher bioavailability or biological effect for every application, and that relationship should be evaluated for your specific system rather than assumed.

See how molecular weight affects Shellfish COS for the deeper technical breakdown.

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Product Advantages

• Fully water-soluble at neutral pH no acid activation step required
• Low molecular weight supports fast dissolution and low-viscosity handling
• Sourced from the most established, longest-characterized chitin supply chain (shrimp/crab shell)
• Available in Food Grade and Industrial Grade specifications, plus an agricultural-use option
• Sample-to-bulk purchasing path with batch-level COA documentation
• SDS available on request for EH&S and procurement review

These are product and sourcing characteristics, not claims about biological effect in a finished product. For the research literature on COS bioactivity and how strongly each specific effect is evidenced see Benefits of Shellfish COS.

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Applications

For food and beverage formulation detail, see Shellfish COS for Functional Foods. For agricultural use rates and application methods, see Shellfish COS for Plant Growth.

Buyer note: “Food Grade” describes Chitosan Global’s manufacturing and purity specification for this material — it is not a statement that the ingredient is pre-approved for every food, beverage, or supplement application in every jurisdiction. Buyers are responsible for confirming regulatory suitability for their specific intended use and market before formulating or launching a product.

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Shellfish Origin — Who Should Choose It?

Shrimp and crab shell is the largest, longest-running chitin feedstock globally, which means shellfish COS typically has more available grade options and a deeper characterization history than newer alternative sources. It’s a practical default when cost-at-scale and grade flexibility matter and there’s no allergen or vegan constraint on the formulation.

Shellfish-derived COS is not appropriate when a formulation requires a vegan, allergen-free, or non-shellfish label claim. In those cases, a mushroom (fungal) or Black Soldier Fly (insect) source is the correct fit.

• Shellfish COS vs. Mushroom COS — source selection for vegan/allergen-sensitive formulations
• Shellfish COS vs. BSF COS — source selection for insect-derived alternatives

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How It’s Produced

Shrimp/crab shell chitin → deacetylation to chitosan → controlled depolymerization (typically enzymatic hydrolysis) → purification and drying → COS powder, tested and classified by grade before release.

Full process detail: how Shellfish COS is manufactured.

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Quality & Documentation

Each production batch is tested prior to release and issued a Certificate of Analysis. Confirmed documentation available for this product:

• Current Certificate of Analysis (COA) — molecular weight, DDA, and grade-relevant purity data
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — available on request
• Grade-specific classification (Food Grade tested and documented separately from Industrial Grade)

Before You Order, Verify:

• Target molecular-weight range for your grade
• DDA requirement
• Grade (Food, Industrial, or Agricultural)
• Solubility performance at your working pH/concentration
• Purity and heavy-metal limits relevant to your application
• Microbial limits, where relevant to your use case
• COA and SDS availability for your intended market
• Required quantity (sample, 1 kg, or bulk)
• Shipping destination and any applicable duties

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Sample → Bulk Buying Path

1. Review specifications and COA against your formulation requirement.
2. Buy a 25 g sample — free shipping, no minimum commitment.
3. Test the material in your own process, mixing conditions, and pH.
4. Confirm the grade and specification that performed best.
5. Request 1 kg or bulk pricing once the sample has qualified.

Testing at sample scale first is the fastest way to confirm compatibility before committing to a larger order lab data on a COA doesn’t always predict how a material behaves in your specific equipment and formulation.

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Packaging & Ordering

Shipping surcharges and tariffs change periodically the checkout selector above reflects current rates. Contact us for bulk lead times.

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Why Buy From Chitosan Global?

• Specialized chitosan portfolio spanning shellfish, mushroom, and Black Soldier Fly (insect) sources
• Batch-level COA issued per production lot, with SDS available on request
• Sample-scale (25 g) through bulk purchasing on a single product line
• Application-focused technical support for matching grade to formulation
• Food, Industrial, and Agricultural grade options from one supplier

See our full Shellfish COS supplier capabilities for procurement and evaluation detail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shellfish Chitosan Oligosaccharide? A low-molecular-weight, water-soluble chitosan derivative made by breaking down chitosan from shrimp and crab shell into short chains, typically 2–10 monomer units.

What molecular weight is available? Food Grade is under 5,000 Da; Industrial Grade ranges from roughly 5,000–10,000 Da. Always confirm the exact range on the current batch COA.

Is Shellfish COS water soluble? Yes, fully soluble in neutral water, unlike native high-MW chitosan, which requires acidic conditions.

What grades are available? Food Grade, Industrial Grade, and an Agricultural-use option. See the specification table above for grade-specific parameters.

Can I buy a 25 g sample? Yes. A 25 g sample ships free and is the recommended first step before ordering 1 kg or bulk quantities.

Is a COA available? Yes. Every production batch is tested and issued a Certificate of Analysis, available on request.

Can I buy Shellfish COS in bulk? Yes. 1 kg units and bulk packs are available; contact steve@chitosanglobal.com for volume pricing and lead times.

What’s the difference between Shellfish COS and native chitosan? Chain length. Native chitosan is a long polymer soluble only in acid; COS is a short-chain fragment of it that dissolves in neutral water.

How does Shellfish COS compare with Mushroom COS? Both are low-MW COS with similar solubility behavior; they differ in biological origin and labeling implications (shellfish is not vegan or allergen-free). See the full comparison.

How should COS powder be stored? In a cool, dry, ventilated location away from direct light and moisture, in tightly sealed packaging, to preserve solubility and purity.

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Request Your Sample, COA, or Bulk Quote

Ready to evaluate Shellfish Chitosan Oligosaccharide in your formulation, feed program, or research project? Buy a 25 g sample, request the current COA, or contact our team at steve@chitosanglobal.com for bulk pricing, custom specifications, and international shipping.