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

Main Article Content

Muhammad Jahangeer
Sarmad Ahmad Qamar
Zahed Mahmood
Muhammad Asgher

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.

Article Details

How to Cite
Jahangeer, M., Qamar, S. A., Mahmood, Z., & Asgher, M. (2019). Applications and perspectives of chitosan as functional biopolymer; an extended review. Life Science Journal of Pakistan, 1(2), 33-40. Retrieved from https://lifesciencejournal.pk/index.php/lsjp/article/view/12
Section
Reviews
Author Biographies

Muhammad Jahangeer, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan

Research Associate,

Department of Biochemsitry, Government College University, Faisalabad

Sarmad Ahmad Qamar, Industrial Biotechnology Lab., Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Research Assistant, 

Department of Biochemistry,

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Zahed Mahmood, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan

Associate Professor,

Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Muhammad Asgher, Dean Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

Tenured Professor Biochemistry / Dean Sciences,

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

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