甲壳素和壳聚糖：来源、生物利用率、健康促进作用和应用的新认识

甲壳素和壳聚糖：来源、生物利用率、健康促进作用和应用的新认识

甲壳素和壳聚糖是自然界中常见的生物聚合物，广泛存在于甲壳类动物、昆虫和真菌的外骨骼中。近年来，随着对这些物质的研究不断深入，人们发现它们不仅具有重要的工业应用价值，还展现出显著的健康促进作用。本文将为您详细介绍甲壳素和壳聚糖的来源、生物利用率、健康效应及其在食品和医药领域的应用前景。

Chitin and chitosan are mostly derived from the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and fungi. Chitin is the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, and it is a fibrous polysaccharide which resists enzymatic degradation in the stomach but undergoes microbial fermentation in the colon, producing beneficial metabolites. Chitosan, which is more soluble in the alkaline small intestine, is more susceptible to enzymatic action. Both biopolymers show limited absorption into the bloodstream, with smaller particles exhibiting better bioavailability. The health effects include anti-inflammatory properties, potential in immune system modulation, impacts on cholesterol levels, and antimicrobial effects, with a specific focus on implications for gut health. Chitin and chitosan exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by interacting with immune cells, influencing cytokine production, and modulating immune responses, which may benefit conditions characterized by chronic inflammation. These biopolymers can impact cholesterol levels by binding to dietary fats and reducing lipid absorption. Additionally, their antimicrobial properties contribute to gut health by controlling harmful pathogens and promoting beneficial gut microbiota. This review explores the extensive health benefits and applications of chitin and chitosan, providing a detailed examination of their chemical compositions, dietary sources, and applications, and critically assessing their health-promoting effects in the context of human well-being.

对甲壳素和壳聚糖的来源、生物利用率、健康促进作用和应用的新认识。

甲壳素和壳聚糖主要来自甲壳类动物、昆虫和真菌的外骨骼。甲壳素是仅次于纤维素的第二大生物聚合物，它是一种纤维状多糖，在胃中能抵抗酶降解，但在结肠中会经过微生物发酵，产生有益的代谢物。壳聚糖在碱性小肠中的溶解度更高，更容易受到酶的作用。这两种生物聚合物在血液中的吸收率都有限，颗粒较小的生物利用率更高。对健康的影响包括抗炎特性、调节免疫系统的潜力、对胆固醇水平的影响以及抗菌作用，特别是对肠道健康的影响。甲壳素和壳聚糖通过与免疫细胞相互作用、影响细胞因子的产生和调节免疫反应而具有抗炎特性，这可能对慢性炎症有益。这些生物聚合物可与食物中的脂肪结合，减少脂质吸收，从而影响胆固醇水平。此外，它们的抗菌特性还能控制有害病原体并促进有益的肠道微生物群，从而促进肠道健康。这篇综述探讨了甲壳素和壳聚糖的广泛健康益处和应用，详细研究了它们的化学成分、膳食来源和应用，并从人类福祉的角度对它们的健康促进作用进行了批判性评估。

编辑点评：

甲壳素和壳聚糖作为自然界中常见的生物聚合物，其独特的化学性质和生理作用机制使其在食品、医药等领域展现出广阔的应用前景。本文详细介绍了甲壳素和壳聚糖的来源、生物利用率、健康效应及其在食品和医药领域的应用前景，对于对生物化学、健康保健等领域感兴趣的读者具有一定的参考价值。