Chitosan is a biopolymer derived from chitin, which is the main component of shells of crustaceans like crabs, lobsters and shrimp. It is produced commercially by deacetylation of chitin. Chitin is one of the most abundant natural polysaccharides after cellulose. Similar to cellulose, chitin is a long-chain polymer of repetitive N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units. It is a linear polysaccharide composed of randomly distributed β-(1-4)-linked D-glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (acetylated unit). It mainly differs from chitin in its positive charge density due to the presence of free amino groups in its molecular chains.

Properties

Chitosan possesses several unique properties that make it highly useful for various applications. Some key properties include:

- Biocompatibility: It is non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible, which makes it suitable for biomedical applications.

- Bioactivity: It exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor and hemostatic activities due to the presence of amino groups in its structure.

- Chelating ability: The amino groups allow it to form metal ion complexes and chelate with proteins and lipids.

- Mucoadhesion: It can adhere to mucosal surfaces due to its cationic character under acidic conditions in the stomach.

- Permeability: It enhances the permeability of epithelial and mucosal tissues due to its ability to open tight junctions between cells.

- Solubility: It is soluble in dilute aqueous solutions of organic acids like acetic acid, formic acid, lactic acid etc. due to protonation of amino groups under acidic pH.

Applications

Due to its versatile properties, it finds wide applications in various industries and sectors:

Water Treatment
It is employed as a coagulant in water and wastewater treatment due to its coagulation efficiency. Chitosan is used as a substitute for aluminium salts for removal of suspended solids, organic contaminants, metals, dyes and pathogens from water.

Food and Beverages
It is used as a thickening, stabilizing and glazing agent in food processing. It improves the texture and quality of foods. It is also used as a preservative to extend shelf-life of fruits and vegetables by reducing microbial spoilage and moisture loss.

Cosmetics and Personal Care
The bioactive properties of it make it suitable for various cosmetic applications like shampoos, creams, lotions, sunscreens etc. It protects skin from damage, improves complexion and promotes anti-aging. It is also used in dental gels, solutions and toothpastes for oral health.

Pharmaceuticals
Due to its biocompatibility and permeation enhancing effects, it finds widespread use in the pharmaceutical industry. It is utilized for manufacturing sustained drug release formulations, tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressings and more.

Agriculture
It acts as an effective bio-pesticide and elicits defense responses in plants. It can control fungal and bacterial diseases and boost crop yields. It is also used as a seed treatment and foliar spray in agriculture.

Biomedical Applications

It has emerged as a promising biomaterial for various biomedical applications owing to its bioactivity, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Some major biomedical uses of chitosan are:

Tissue Engineering
Chitosan scaffolds support attachment, proliferation and differentiation of cells for tissue regeneration applications. It is utilized in bone, cartilage, blood vessel, nerve tissue engineering and wound dressing material.

Drug Delivery
The ability of it to form nanoparticles and hydrogels along with its mucoadhesive nature makes it suitable for oral, pulmonary, ocular, intranasal and injectable drug delivery systems. It enhances absorption and targets drug release.

Wound Healing
It promotes wound healing due to its hemostatic, antibacterial and biocompatible properties. It is used in formulation of wound dressings, bandages, sutures, adhesion barriers and surgical sealants.

Biosensors
It is employed in biosensing technology for detection of biomolecules, pathogens and environmental pollutants due to its good film forming ability and binding affinities. It improves specificity, sensitivity and stability of sensors.

Other biomedical uses of chitosan include implants, scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering, artificial skin and orthopedic applications such as bone substitutes. It also exhibits anticancer activities and is being studied for cancer therapy.

With its versatile biopolymeric properties and eco-friendly nature, chitosan has revolutionized several industries. Its diverse applications ranging from water treatment to biomedical domains have positioned it as one of the most valuable natural polymers. Continuous research on it is expanding the horizons of its utilization. New derivatives and composites of them are being developed with enhanced functionalities. Driven by the tremendous industrial demand, market is growing rapidly and is projected to witness further growth in the coming years. Overall, chitosan emerges as a highly efficient, renewable and eco-benign biopolymer.

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Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice's dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights.

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