Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation

Zekiye Kocakaya; Behlul Koc-Bilican; Fatma Kılıç Dokan; Mustafa Kocakaya; Gökçe Şeker Karatoprak; Selen İlgün; Fatih Duman

doi:10.17776/csj.1824406

Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation

Abstract

Lichens are complex symbiotic organisms composed of fungi and photosynthetic partners such as algae or cyanobacteria. While numerous bioactive compounds have been extracted from lichens, their insoluble, structural polymeric materials remain largely unexplored. In this study, the structural components of four lichen species—Xanthoparmelia pulla, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca, Diploschistes scruposus, and Umbilicaria nylanderiana—were isolated through sequential demineralization, deproteinization, and decolorization processes to obtain sustainable biopolymeric matrices. The isolated materials were characterized using FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM, and EDS analyses. The combined physicochemical analyses supported the presence of chitin-containing structural polysaccharides together with residual mineral components and revealed species-dependent differences in the chemical, crystalline, thermal, morphological, and elemental characteristics of the isolated materials. XRD analysis further revealed distinct diffraction profiles and contributions from residual crystalline mineral phases, particularly CaCO₃. SEM observations indicated species-dependent differences in surface morphology, while EDS confirmed the presence of C, N, O, Si, and Ca elements. The MTT assay revealed species-, concentration-, and time-dependent differences in L929 cell viability. Materials derived from X. pulla and R. chrysoleuca showed comparatively favorable cellular responses, whereas D. scruposus and U. nylanderiana caused significant reductions in cell viability. These findings provide comparative physicochemical and cellular-response data on lichen-derived structural materials and support their further investigation as naturally derived materials for potential biointerface applications.

Keywords

Biomaterial, Bio-composite, Chitin, Lichen, Natural polymer

Supporting Institution

This research was supported by Kayseri University and benefited from the instrumental facilities of Erciyes University Central Research Laboratories (TAUM and ERNAM).

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human participants, animals, or any procedures requiring institutional ethical approval. The research was conducted using lichen samples collected from natural habitats, and no endangered or protected species were used. All experimental protocols, including cell culture assays, were performed in accordance with institutional, national, and international guidelines for the ethical conduct of scientific research.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank Dr. Murat Kaya for providing valuable insights and guidance on several technical matters explored in this paper. The authors also express their gratitude to Erciyes University Central Research Laboratories (TAUM and ERNAM) for providing instrumental support.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Biomaterial

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Zekiye Kocakaya ^*
0000-0001-5248-0462
Türkiye

Behlul Koc-Bilican
0000-0001-9943-771X
Türkiye

Fatma Kılıç Dokan
0000-0002-5355-2904
Türkiye

Mustafa Kocakaya
0000-0003-2306-8094
Türkiye

Gökçe Şeker Karatoprak
0000-0001-5829-6914
Türkiye

Selen İlgün
0000-0002-8544-0683
Türkiye

Fatih Duman
0000-0003-2066-5176
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 27, 2026

Submission Date

November 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 47 Number: 5

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1824406

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA32DC87ZX

APA

Kocakaya, Z., Koc-Bilican, B., Kılıç Dokan, F., Kocakaya, M., Şeker Karatoprak, G., İlgün, S., & Duman, F. (2026). Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation. Cumhuriyet Science Journal, 47(5), 910-921. https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1824406

AMA

1.Kocakaya Z, Koc-Bilican B, Kılıç Dokan F, et al. Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation. CSJ. 2026;47(5):910-921. doi:10.17776/csj.1824406

Chicago

Kocakaya, Zekiye, Behlul Koc-Bilican, Fatma Kılıç Dokan, et al. 2026. “Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation”. Cumhuriyet Science Journal 47 (5): 910-21. https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1824406.

EndNote

Kocakaya Z, Koc-Bilican B, Kılıç Dokan F, Kocakaya M, Şeker Karatoprak G, İlgün S, Duman F (October 1, 2026) Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation. Cumhuriyet Science Journal 47 5 910–921.

IEEE

[1]Z. Kocakaya et al., “Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation”, CSJ, vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 910–921, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.17776/csj.1824406.

ISNAD

Kocakaya, Zekiye - Koc-Bilican, Behlul - Kılıç Dokan, Fatma - Kocakaya, Mustafa - Şeker Karatoprak, Gökçe - İlgün, Selen - Duman, Fatih. “Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation”. Cumhuriyet Science Journal 47/5 (October 1, 2026): 910-921. https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1824406.

JAMA

1.Kocakaya Z, Koc-Bilican B, Kılıç Dokan F, Kocakaya M, Şeker Karatoprak G, İlgün S, Duman F. Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation. CSJ. 2026;47:910–921.

MLA

Kocakaya, Zekiye, et al. “Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation”. Cumhuriyet Science Journal, vol. 47, no. 5, Oct. 2026, pp. 910-21, doi:10.17776/csj.1824406.

Vancouver

1.Zekiye Kocakaya, Behlul Koc-Bilican, Fatma Kılıç Dokan, Mustafa Kocakaya, Gökçe Şeker Karatoprak, Selen İlgün, Fatih Duman. Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation. CSJ. 2026 Oct. 1;47(5):910-21. doi:10.17776/csj.1824406

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Environmentally Sustainable Chitin-Based Composite Structures Isolated from Lichens: Physicochemical Characterization and Biointerface Evaluation

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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