Applications and perspectives of chitosan as functional biopolymer; an extended review

Abstract

Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, has gained high importance for its nontoxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and antioxidant properties. The main objective of this review is to explore various applications of chitosan in different fields of life. It is used in food preservatives or coating material in natural origin due to its antimicrobial activity and film forming prpoerties. Chitosan-based coatings are made up by the combination of chitosan with organic, inorganic or with non-coating materials which includes gas fumigation, heat treatment and hypobaric treatment. It is used in various biomedical applications such as wound dressings, antibacterial coatings, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery, stent coatings, biosensors and membrane seprations. Chitosan is a biopolymer which have different functional properties including enhacnced gelling properties, treatment of seafood industry effluent, drug compounds from aqua culture and sea food and nanocarrier abilities for bioactive compounds. Chitosan is also used for nasal formulations because of its efficient mucoadhesive properties including greater convenience, stability and long-term availability of drug in nasal cavity. Chitosan and its derivatives are used in nanocarriers for drug/ gene delivery or other healthcare purposes, due to their efficient hydrophilic properties.