Review: Chitosan, a versatil biomaterial. State of the art from its obtaining to its multiple applications

Abstract

For decades, science studies a linear potential polysaccharide macromolecule known as Chitosan composed of β-(1→4) D-glucosamine and N-acetyl- D-glucosamine. It´s well known the origin from Chitin, which turns out to be the second most abundant biopolymer in nature after cellulose. Chitosan is of great interest for science due its high solubility in water and ease to derivatization because numerous amines and hidroxil functional groups are present in the polymeric structure, which allows several modifications on its structure that give way to dabble in multiple applications, even little explored. Many fields of science such as biomedical, pharma&cosmetic, agricultural, industry and foods, remain active in generating knowledges based on its derivatives and its multiple applications.

Keywords

• chitosan
• chitin
• polysaccharide
• derivatives
• applications