Recent Trends in Alginate, Chitosan and Alginate-Chitosan Antimicrobial Systems

Abstract

Abstract. Natural polysaccharides alginate and chitosan have been used extensively, separately or in mixtures (systems), in manufacturing of pharmaceutical products (antimicrobial) and not only. Alginates usually serve as basis for antimicrobial systems, while chitosan, in certain proportions, enhances their physicochemical and antimicrobial properties. Focusing on the recent literature (mostly since 2000), this review outlines the main synthetic approaches for the preparation of systems based on both polymers as well as identify potential areas of their application as antimicrobial agents. Various techniques used for systems preparation like microparticles, fi lms, fi bers, nanoparticles, sponges, applications and usefulness of these systems as carriers of antimicrobial compounds will also be discussed.

Review on Polysaccharides Used in Coatings for Food Packaging Papers

“…However, there are only a few reports in the literature concerning the potential of alginate coatings to improve water barrier properties of coated paper, either used as sole polymer or in combination with other biopolymers (i.e., chitosan). Results show that this biopolymer is not able to reduce the water resistance of paper but has some synergistic effect when used in combination with chitosan [146,147].…”

Current Trends in Advanced Alginate-Based Wound Dressings for Chronic Wounds

“…Alginates (ALG), are linear water soluble high swelling natural anionic polysaccharides obtained from brown algae cell walls and from some bacteria strains such as Pseudomonas or Azotobacter [ 6 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. They are biopolymers consisting of 1,4-linked β -D-mannuronic acid (M) and 1,4 α -L-guluronic acid (G) monomers [ 9 , 30 , 39 , 41 ]. These monomers are grouped in block-like patterns which can be heterogenous (MG) or homogenous (poly-M, poly-G) ( Figure 1 ).…”