Agricultural and horticultural use The agricultural and horticultural uses for<unk> , primarily for plant defense and yield increase, are based on how this glucosamine polymer influences the biochemistry and molecular biology of the plant cell. The cellular targets are the plasma membrane and nuclear<unk> romatin. Subsequent<unk> anges occur in cell membranes,<unk> romatin, DNA, calcium, MAP kinase, oxidative burst, reactive oxygen species, callose pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, and phytoalexins.<unk>  was first registered as an active ingredient (licensed for sale) in 1986. Natural biocontrol and elicitor In agriculture,<unk>  is typically used as a natural seed treatment and plant growth enhancer, and as an ecologically friendly biopesticide substance that boosts the innate ability of plants to defend themselves against fungal infections. The natural biocontrol active ingredients,<unk> in/chitosan, are found in the shells of crustaceans, such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, and many other organisms, including insects and fungi. It is one of the most abundant biodegradable materials in the world. Degraded molecules of<unk> in/chitosan exist in soil and water.<unk>  applications for plants and crops are regulated in the USA by the EPA, and the USDA National Organic Program regulates its use on organic certified farms and crops. EPA-approved, biodegradable<unk>  products are allowed for use outdoors and indoors on plants and crops grown commercially and by consumers. In the European Union and United Kingdom,<unk>  is registered as a "basic substance" for use as a biological fungicide and bactericide on a wide range of crops. As such, concentrated<unk>  solutions can be sold as basic substances to farmers for disease control on both conventional and organic farms. The natural biocontrol ability of<unk>  should not be confused with the effects of fertilizers or pesticides upon plants or the environment.<unk>  active biopesticides represent a new tier of cost-effective biological control of crops for agriculture and horticulture. The biocontrol mode of action of<unk>  elicits natural innate defense responses within plant to resist insects, pathogens, and soil-borne diseases when applied to foliage or the soil.<unk>  increases photosynthesis, promotes and enhances plant growth, stimulates nutrient uptake, increases germination and sprouting, and boosts plant vigor. When used as a seed treatment or seed coating on cotton, corn, seed potatoes, soybeans, sugar beets, tomatoes, wheat, and many other seeds, it elicits an innate immunity response in developing roots which destroys parasitic cyst nematodes without harming beneficial nematodes and organisms. Agricultural applications of<unk>  can reduce environmental stress due to drought and soil deficiencies, strengthen seed vitality, improve stand quality, increase yields, and reduce fruit decay of vegetables, fruits and citrus crops . Horticultural application of<unk>  increases blooms and extends the life of cut flowers and<unk> ristmas trees. The US Forest Service has conducted research on<unk>  to control pathogens in pine trees and increase resin pitch outflow which resists pine beetle infestation. NASA life support GAP technology with untreated beans (left tube) and ODC<unk>  biocontrol-treated beans (right tube) returned from the Mir space station aboard the space shuttle – September 1997<unk>  has a rich history of being researched for applications in agriculture and horticulture dating back to the 1980s. By 1989,<unk>  salt solutions were applied to crops for improved freeze protection or to crop seed for seed priming. Shortly thereafter,<unk>  salt received the first ever biopesticide label from the EPA, then followed by other intellectual property applications.<unk>  has been used to protect plants in space, as well, exemplified by NASA's experiment to protect adzuki beans grown aboard the space shuttle and Mir space station in 1997 (see photo left). NASA results revealed<unk>  induces increased growth (biomass) and pathogen resistance due to elevated levels of β-(1→3)-glucanase enzymes within plant cells. NASA confirmed<unk>  elicits the same effect in plants on earth. In 2008, the EPA approved natural broad-spectrum elicitor status for an ultralow molecular active ingredient of 0.25%<unk> . A natural<unk>  elicitor solution for agriculture and horticultural uses was granted an amended label for foliar and irrigation applications by the EPA in 2009. Given its low potential for toxicity and abundance in the natural environment,<unk>  does not harm people, pets, wildlife, or the environment when used according to label directions.<unk>  blends do not work against bark beetles when put on a tree's leaves or in its soil. Filtration<unk>  can be used in hydrology as a part of a filtration process.<unk>  causes the fine sediment particles to bind together, and is subsequently removed with the sediment during sand filtration. It also removes heavy minerals, dyes, and oils from the water. As an additive in water filtration,<unk>  combined with sand filtration removes up to 99% of turbidity.<unk>  is among the biological adsorbents used for heavy metals removal without negative environmental impacts. In combination with bentonite, gelatin, silica gel, isinglass, or other fining agents, it is used to clarify wine, mead, and beer. Added late in the brewing process,<unk>  improves flocculation, and removes yeast cells, fruit particles, and other detritus that cause hazy wine. Winemaking and fungal source<unk> <unk>  has a long history for use as a fining agent in winemaking. Fungal source<unk>  has shown an increase in settling activity, reduction of oxidized polyphenolics in juice and wine,<unk> elation and removal of copper (post-racking) and control of the spoilage yeast Brettanomyces. These products and uses are approved for European use by the EU and OIV standards. Medical use<unk>  is used within some wound dressings to decrease bleeding. Upon contact with blood, the bandage becomes extremely sticky, and this adhesive-like effect seals the laceration.<unk> -containing wound dressings received approval for medical use in the United States in 2003.<unk>  may also decrease the growth of bacteria and fungi, and may be useful as a burn dressing.<unk>  hemostatic agents are salts made from mixing<unk>  with an organic acid (such as succinic or lactic acid). The hemostatic agent works by an interaction between the cell membrane of erythrocytes (negative<unk> arge) and the protonated<unk>  (positive<unk> arge) leading to involvement of platelets and rapid thrombus formation. Temperature-Sensitive<unk>  Hydrogels<unk>  is dissolved in dilute organic acid solutions but is insoluble in high concentrations of hydrogen ions at pH 6.5 and is precipitated as a gel-like compound.<unk>  is positively<unk> arged by amine groups, making it suitable for binding to negatively<unk> arged molecules. However, it has disadvantages such as low mechanical strength and low-temperature response rate; it must be combined with other gelling agents to improve its properties. Using glycerolphosphate salts (possessing a single anionic head) without<unk> emical modification or cross-linking, the pH-dependent gelation properties can be converted to temperature-sensitive gelation properties. In the year 2000,<unk> enite was the first to design the temperature-sensitive<unk>  hydrogels drug delivery system using<unk>  and β-glycerol phosphate. This new system can remain in the liquid state at room temperature, while becoming gel with increasing temperature above the physiological temperature (37°C). Phosphate salts cause a particular behaviour in<unk>  solutions, thereby allowing these solutions to remain soluble in the physiological pH range (pH 7), and they will be gel only at body temperature. When the liquid solution of<unk> -glycerol phosphate, containing the drug, enters the body through a syringe injection, it becomes a water-insoluble gel at 37°C. The entrapped drug particles between the hydrogel<unk> ains will be gradually released. Research<unk>  and derivatives have been explored in the development of nanomaterials, bioadhesives, wound dressing materials, improved drug delivery systems, enteric coatings, and in medical devices.<unk>  nanofiber membranes have a high degree of biocompatibility and may support new bone formation.<unk> -derived metallic nanomaterials are under study for wound healing.<unk>  is under research as an adjuvant for a potential intranasal vaccine delivery method. Bioprinting Large three-dimensional functional objects made from<unk> . Bioinspired materials, a manufacturing concept inspired by natural nacre, shrimp carapace, or insect cuticles, has led to development of bioprinting methods to manufacture large scale consumer objects using<unk> . This method is based on replicating the molecular arrangement of<unk>  from natural materials into fabrication methods, such as injection molding or mold casting. Once discarded,<unk> -constructed objects are biodegradable and non-toxic. The method is used to engineer and bioprint human organs or tissues. Pigmented<unk>  objects can be recycled, with the option of reintroducing or discarding the dye at each recycling step, enabling reuse of the polymer independently of colorants. Unlike other plant-based bioplastics (e.g. cellulose, starch), the main natural sources of<unk>  come from marine environments and do not compete for land or other human resources. Weight loss<unk>  is marketed in a tablet form as a "fat binder". Although the effect of<unk>  on lowering<unk> olesterol and body weight has been evaluated, the effect appears to have no or low clinical importance. Reviews from 2016 and 2008 found there was no significant effect, and no justification for overweight people to use<unk>  supplements. In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a public advisory about supplement retailers who made exaggerated claims concerning the supposed weight loss benefit of various products. Biodegradable antimicrobial food
Chitosan
Methyl cellulose
Lecithin
Glucomannan
Polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate
Lactose
Hyaluronic acid
Glycoside