Chitosan/Food Science

one would first have to look to see if it's approve by the FDA as a food additive.

Read this, duckyourcat.

Good article in the Wikii. Thanks. I have also read that chitosan increases the shelf life of many food products, including mayo, plus may bind with the fat to prevent digestion of it. I probably should have put a comma after 'goose'.

Glad I could help. Now I also know a bunch about the stuff.

If it binds with fat, watch out for the Olestra-effect!!!

Vanson Halopure technologies in Redmond, WA USA owns the original patents for the extraction method and has factories along the coast. I work with them in industrial applications where it is used as a flocculate for oils. They told me at one time it was used in a diet pill but it did not work out the way they had hoped. No problem with the function, it just fell flat marketing wise. They since have subcontracted it out to a company in Iceland. It was FDA approved.

Yep! I'll bet it WAS the Olestra-effect!!!

Actually it wasn't. The firm they contracted made unsupportable claims and the whole thing died in court. Chitosan does not cause the "Olestra" effect. It is basically a coagulant naturally occurring in shellfish. They use it in the medical field for surgery to help block blood flows. It's weight control effect is just what was posted before; it surrounds fat cells restricting them from being assimilated into the body.

"It was FDA approved." I am familiar with Vanson. In fact I live not far from one of their plants. I have never heard that chitosan has been fda approved. I looked just now and found no evidence that it has been. If you could provide me with more info. I'd really appreciate it.

They are no longer involved in the food side directly. They now concentrate on water treatment through their Halopure group. I only know the history through conversations with some of the principles. I don't really know the details. Not even sure if the Chitosan product is still marketed in the U.S. that way. There current website is www.halosource.com. Dr. Jeffery Williams is the key principle and researcher.