D. L. Wasule, Roshan Maroti Shinde
Chitosan, a naturally occurring cationic biopolymer, is a linear polysaccharide composed of D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It is produced from demineralization and deproteinization of chitin, which is abundant in the exoskeletons of arthropods, fungal cell walls, algae, microorganisms, and the radulae and beaks of mollusks and cephalopods. Chitosan exhibits several favorable properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and unique biological and physiological characteristics. These attributes make chitosan a promising material for diverse applications across various industries. Chitosan nanoparticles, in particular, have found extensive use in fields such as biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food technology, cosmetics, water treatment, and textiles. Their versatile applications include functioning as food additives and preservatives, antimicrobial agents, encapsulations of active ingredients, enzyme immobilizers, gelling and coating agents, and biopolymeric nanofilms. Ongoing clinical trials and a steadily growing number of patents across pharmaceutical, biomedical, food, agricultural, and environmental sectors highlight chitosan's multipurpose industrial potential and promising future as a versatile biopolymer.