Selected Applications of Chitosan Composites

Abstract

Chitosan is one of the emerging materials for various applications. The most intensive studies have focused on its use as a biomaterial and for biomedical, cosmetic, and packaging systems. The research on biodegradable food packaging systems over conventional non-biodegradable packaging systems has gained much importance in the last decade. The deacetylation of chitin, a polysaccharide mainly obtained from crustaceans and shrimp shells, yields chitosan. The deacetylation process of chitin leads to the generation of primary amino groups. The functional activity of chitosan is generally owed to this amino group, which imparts inherent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity to the chitosan. Further, since chitosan is a naturally derived polymer, it is biodegradable and safe for human consumption. Food-focused researchers are exploiting the properties of chitosan to develop biodegradable food packaging systems. However, the properties of packaging systems using chitosan can be improved by adding different additives or blending chitosan with other polymers. In this review, we report on the different properties of chitosan that make it suitable for food packaging applications, various methods to develop chitosan-based packaging films, and finally, the applications of chitosan in developing multifunctional food packaging materials. Here we present a short overview of the chitosan-based nanocomposites, beginning with principal properties, selected preparation techniques, and finally, selected current research.

Effect of the cavity disinfectant containing chitosan on dentin bonding strength after radiotherapy

“…Chitosan is an organic biopolymer that can reduce the collagen matrix degradation caused by MMPs [34]. Daood et al [35], in their study investigating demineralized dentin collagen fibrils and the resindentin junction's morphological and chemical changes, reported the addition of chitosan and riboflavin to the adhesive systems protected the demineralized dentin tissue and the hydrolytic and collagenolytic.…”

Chitosan with Natural Additives as a Potential Food Packaging

“…Literature data show that the inclusion of, inter alia, natural additives rich in phenolic compounds to the matrix of chitosan films increases their ability to absorb UV radiation, thus reducing their permeability [ 218 , 219 ]. Literature reports showed that the permeability of films, both in the visible and ultraviolet range, was reduced by adding additives to the chitosan film matrix, such as ellagic acid, lychee pericarp powder, or α-tocopherol [ 218 , 219 , 220 , 221 ]. Studies have shown that chitosan films with the addition of boswellic acid provide a very good UV barrier.…”

Chitosan as a Polyfunctional Crosslinker for a Renewable-Based Resorcinol Diglycidyl Ether

“…Thus, impressive progress is being made every year in developing environmentally friendly materials with good mechanical properties and chemical and thermal stability, and the most widely used for this purpose are carbohydrate-based polymers: chitosan, starch, cellulose, and pullulan . Chitosan has great potential to replace fossil-based materials in several fields: food packaging, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and medicinal and commercial applications. − Moreover, being obtained from the residues of the seafood industry, chitosan is abundant, and therefore, it has the huge advantage of low cost. ,, …”