Recent Advances in Chitosan-Based Applications—A Review

Abstract

Chitosan derived from chitin gas gathered much interest as a biopolymer due to its known and possible broad applications. Chitin is a nitrogen-enriched polymer abundantly present in the exoskeletons of arthropods, cell walls of fungi, green algae, and microorganisms, radulae and beaks of molluscs and cephalopods, etc. Chitosan is a promising candidate for a wide variety of applications due to its macromolecular structure and its unique biological and physiological properties, including solubility, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and reactivity. Chitosan and its derivatives have been known to be applicable in medicine, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, agriculture, the textile and paper industries, the energy industry, and industrial sustainability. More specifically, their use in drug delivery, dentistry, ophthalmology, wound dressing, cell encapsulation, bioimaging, tissue engineering, food packaging, gelling and coating, food additives and preservatives, active biopolymeric nanofilms, nutraceuticals, skin and hair care, preventing abiotic stress in flora, increasing water availability in plants, controlled release fertilizers, dye-sensitised solar cells, wastewater and sludge treatment, and metal extraction. The merits and demerits associated with the use of chitosan derivatives in the above applications are elucidated, and finally, the key challenges and future perspectives are discussed in detail.

Food-Grade Oleogels: Trends in Analysis, Characterization, and Applicability

“…Chitin is a long-chain polymer that is a primary component of the exoskeletons of arthropods such as crustaceans, some mollusks, and insects, and also of the cell walls of fungi. Chitin is composed of units of N-acety-D-lglucosamine, which are linked together by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds to form a strong and resistant material [155].…”

Revolutionizing Lens Technology: Chitosan and Starch in Next‐Gen Ophthalmic Lenses

“…The combination of chitosan and starch in ophthalmic lenses results in a range of synergistic effects that collectively elevate lens performance. These effects encompass several crucial aspects of lens wear [84][85][86][87][88] :…”

“…The combination of chitosan and starch in ophthalmic lenses results in a range of synergistic effects that collectively elevate lens performance. These effects encompass several crucial aspects of lens wear [ 84–88 ] : Enhanced Comfort: Chitosan and starch, when combined, create a lens material that excels in comfort. Chitosan's moisture‐retentive properties prevent lens dehydration and the associated discomfort.…”

Chitosan-Based Composites: Development and Perspective in Food Preservation and Biomedical Applications

“…Chitin is made by joining N-acetyl glucosamine residues through β (1-4) glycosidic linkages and is the second-most prevalent natural polysaccharide after cellulose [1,2]. Chitin (Figure 1) is a naturally occurring structured crystalline microfibril in arthropods' exoskeletons, fungi, and yeast cell walls.…”