Chitin / Chitosan (Crustacean-Derived)
キチン・キトサン (キチン・キトサン)
Why source from Japan
Japanese marine-fishery upcycling produces highest-purity chitosan with traceable shell-supply; FFC notifications support cholesterol-moderation positioning.
Key spec
Deacetylation degree typically 80-95%; molecular weight 50,000-1,000,000 Da; shrimp-derived vs crab-derived differ in profile.
Typical end-product
Cholesterol-moderation FFC supplements, wound-care cosmetics, water-treatment industrial.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 1–10 kg powder; 100 g – 1 kg specialty
- Typical lead time
- 8–12 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Hokkaido (snow-crab shells), Aomori (sakura-ebi shells), Shizuoka (Yaizu)
- Category
- Marine functional ingredients
- Harvest season
- Year-round (continuous shell upcycling)
- Japan regulatory status
- FFC notifications exist (cholesterol moderation); cosmetic JSCI listed
- Japanese name
- キチン・キトサン
- Romaji
- キチン・キトサン
About this ingredient
Polysaccharide derived from crustacean shells (snow-crab, kuruma-prawn, lobster) — Japan's marine-fishery upcycling chain produces some of the world's highest-purity chitosan. Yaizu Suisan Kagaku (Shizuoka) and Koyo Chemical produce industrial-scale chitin / chitosan for supplement, cosmetic, biomedical, and water-treatment applications. Functional positioning targets cholesterol-moderation (FFC notifications exist) and wound-healing applications. Distinct from existing seafood entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | FFC notifications exist (cholesterol moderation); cosmetic JSCI listed |
|---|---|
| EU | Novel Food not novel (pre-1997 EU history); CosIng listed |
| United States | DSHEA NDI; GRAS by long history; MoCRA cosmetic use; shellfish-allergen labelling |
| China | NMPA cosmetic NCI; verify import |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Chitin / Chitosan (Crustacean-Derived) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Fucoidan
フコイダン
INCI Fucoidan (from various brown seaweeds); MOQ from 1–10 kg.
Plant-based· shares 4 categories
Astaxanthin
アスタキサンチン
INCI Astaxanthin; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 1–10 kg (oil-based concentrate).
Plant-based· shares 4 categories
Okinawa Mozuku Fucoidan
沖縄モズク由来フコイダン
Cladosiphon okamuranus Tokida source; INCI Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 1-100 kg (powder, extract).
Plant-based· shares 4 categories
Easier EU regulatory path
Chitin / Chitosan (Crustacean-Derived) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in EU. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Fucoidan
フコイダン
INCI Fucoidan (from various brown seaweeds); MOQ from 1–10 kg.
Simpler in EU· shares 4 categories
Fugu (Pufferfish) Collagen
ふぐコラーゲン
Glycine 25-30%; proline 12-15%; molecular weight 1,000-3,000 Da (low-MW hydrolysate); marine origin with traceability.
Simpler in EU· shares 4 categories
Salmon Nasal Cartilage Proteoglycan
サケ鼻軟骨プロテオグリカン
INCI Proteoglycan; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 100 g – 10 kg.
Simpler in EU· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05