A simple, convenient and inexpensive method for the preparation of magnetic chitin composite, in which magnetite particles are densely covered with the polysaccharide shell has been developed. Two-step procedure for magnetic chitin preparation includes: (i) adsorption of chitosan onto magnetite particles and (ii) N-selective acetylation of chitosan to produce magnetic chitin. The composite combines the magnetic properties of magnetite and the adsorption properties of chitin. The synthesized magnetic chitin is an efficient adsorbent of β-d-GlcNAc-specific lectins and lysozyme. The adsorption capacity of magnetic chitin for wheat germ (Triticum vulgaris) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) lectins was in the range of 67-86 mg g-1 of the adsorbent. Magnetic chitin showed the high capacity for enzyme-lysozyme. Synthesized adsorbent is environmentally friendly and recyclable. Magnetic chitin may be used as a promising multi-purpose adsorbent of pollutants of organic or inorganic nature.
Keywords: Adsorbent; Chitin; Lectins; Lysozyme; Magnetite.
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