Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

what chemical compound that can be found in chitin that can make a fertilizer????

Hi Dana,

Chitin is a compound itself rather than a mixture of lots of different things. If you google chitin you can find some encylopedia websites that talk about the structure of chitin.
It is a polymer which means its made up of repeating chemical units, kind of like how a pearl necklace is made up of beads. So you should also look at what the units are, you can also find that out from the encylopedias.
And if you want to go even further, you can see what elements make up those units and how those elements are used by plants. Ultimately most good fertilizers provide a source of the element nitrogen. Look for chemical diagrams that show the structure of the units with the chemical symbols and numbers of those elements joined by sticks. Check what the chemical symbol for nitrogen is and see fi you can see it in the structure.

Post back with how you are doing,
Best of luck,
Caroline

What chemical compound that can be found in chitin that can make a fertilizer?
My answer: Before you get too specific into your project, I would start by just getting some basic background information about chitin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitin). Also, I would study the chemical composition of chitin (available at the same site). From this point, I would study the basics of what some common characteristics (both physical and chemical) of fertiliers. This should help you find what chemical compound is best to use as a fertilizer (I know from experience that you have a lot of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen molecules to work with!)
Please tell me if you need more specific help.

I found this information on "Plant growth regulators derived from chitin":
"The invention is related to a plant growth regulating composition comprising chitosan and a non-phytotoxic acid in the form of an aqueous solution or a blend of dry powders. The composition may be applied to the soil in which the seeds are to be planted, the seeds themselves or the foliage of an emerging plant." http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4964894.html

Chemical Compunds in Fertilizer:
Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions, the three major plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), the secondary plant nutrients (calcium, sulfur, magnesium), and sometimes trace elements (or micronutrients) with a role in plant nutrition: boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper and molybdenum.
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer
That site should be helpful.

Chemical Compounds in Chitin:
It is a polysaccharide consisting of units of the amino sugar glucosamine. As a by-product of crustacean processing, chitin is used as a flocculating agent for waste water, a wound-healing agent, a thickener and stabilizer for foods…
-http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9082214/chitin
This site includes the definition of chitin.

Hope this helps!