In microfluidic systems, analyses can be performed on a miniaturized scale without the use of complex laboratory equipment. In this context, DNA purification and concentration pose a particular challenge. To improve this, a disposable microfluidic device is functionalized with different chitosans for DNA binding in the presented study. This will then be used to detect eDNA of invasive species from river water samples.

Commercial extraction of chitin is mainly from the shells of crustaceans such as snow crabs. Fungi and insects are alternative sources of chitin, which are poorly usable so far. The expansion of insect farming for animal feed production in recent years has increased the availability of insect biomass. In the following, we present a review that provides an overview of recently published studies on the extraction of chitin from insects and its conversion to chitosan.