Chitosan Biomaterials: Versatility and Future Directions
While addressing manufacturing issues and projecting future research directions, this review investigates chitosan-based biomaterials, stressing their varied uses in medicine, environmental science, and agriculture.
Introduction to Chitosan
Originally generated from chitin, mostly from the exoskeletons of crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and lobster, chitosan is a naturally occurring biopolymer (Barbusiński et al., 2016). Extracted from clam shells or fungus cultivated in bioreactors, this chitin-derived fiber is also generated from Considered to be antibacterial, chitosan can be chemically altered to improve its qualities for different uses (Shanmugam et al., 2016). In biomaterials research, especially in tissue engineering, this flexible material is advantageous when combined with natural and synthetic polymers as well as other materials ( Kołodziejska et al., 2021).
Chitosan’s special cationic mucoadhesive character and the presence of reactive amino and hydroxyl functional groups make it a desirable biopolymer for drug delivery systems (Andrade et al., 2011; Assa et al., 2016). Moreover, chitosan’s abundance in biomass resources and physicochemical characteristics have attracted research in several disciplines, including fuel cell uses (Ahmed et al., 2023). The degree of deacetylation and acetylation patterns of chitosan determines its applications and characteristics very much (Amamou, 2024; Singh, 2023).
Chitosan has become well-known in biomaterials science because of its biocompatibility and capacity to create hydrogenic and ionic interactions with drug molecules, thereby facilitating drug transport, cancer therapy, and wound healing uses (Bahralouei & Rahman, 2022). Improved solubility for siRNA distribution and enhanced antithrombogenic qualities (Liu et al., 2006; Al-Absi et al., 2022) are two applications of the chemical changes of chitosan that have extended their use. Furthermore created for biomedical uses are chitosan-based scaffolds with improved features, so highlighting the material’s possibilities in tissue engineering (Деминa et al., 2016; Spin‐Neto et al., 2009).
Leveraged for a variety of uses, including purification of effluent and the creation of novel materials, Chitosan’s interactions with metal ions have helped to shape both Furthermore under research are chitosan-apatite composites’ antibacterial qualities and uses in controlled drug delivery systems (Sukhodub et al., 2016). The adaptability of this biomaterial is shown by the investigation of depolymerization of chitosan to change its features for certain uses (Ma et al., 2012).
Ultimately, in biomaterials research, chitosan’s natural supplies, chemical structure, and special characteristics have positioned it as a useful material. From medication delivery systems to tissue engineering, its biocompatibility, antibacterial qualities, and chemical modification ability make it a flexible biopolymer with uses.
Applications of Chitosan-Based Biomaterials
Biomaterials based on chitosan have found extensive use in many different disciplines. Chitosan-based nanoparticles have been applied in agriculture as pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides, therefore enhancing crop quality and productivity. Bandara et al. 2020. Furthermore investigated for sustainable agriculture are chitosan nanoparticle-based delivery systems using nanocomposite films showing antibacterial action against pathogens (Kashyap et al., 2015). In terms of plant protection as well, chitosan has demonstrated potential to improve shelf life and crop quality (Malerba, 2018).
Chitosan-based systems have shown notable antibacterial activity in the biomedical domain, hence they are important for many different medical uses (Atay, 2019). Furthermore suggested for use in tissue engineering, drug transport, and wound healing is chitosan because of its biocompatibility and wound-healing qualities (Atay, 2019). These properties have made chitosan a flexible biomaterial with uses in medicines and wound healing rather interesting.
Moreover, chitosan has been identified as a tool for sustainable development since its uses support sustainability by means of chitosan and its derived components (Maliki et al., 22211). This emphasizes the need of chitosan in supporting environmentally friendly methods and uses.
All things considered, chitosan-based biomaterials have shown promise in sustainability-oriented, biomedical, and agricultural uses. From improving crop security and quality in agriculture to enabling wound healing and drug delivery in the medical industry, chitosan’s adaptability and positive qualities make it a valuable substance across many disciplines.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Although chitosan-based biomaterials have great promise in many different uses, their manufacturing and application present difficulties that have to be resolved if we are to advance. Improving the biocompatibility and biodegradability of chitosan-based biomaterials is therefore quite important to guarantee their safety and efficacy in biomedical uses (Douette et al., 2020). Successful use of biomaterials in host tissues depends on an awareness of their biological reaction in those tissues (Douette et al., 2020). Furthermore, it is still difficult to improve the mechanical qualities of chitosan, such ductility, which calls for careful attention to increase its biomaterial use (Kolhe & Kannan, 2002).
Within the realm of tissue engineering, the creation of chitosan-based scaffolds for regenerative medicine poses issues with cell adhesion and scaffold-cell interactions (Rodríguez-Vázquez et al., 2015). Combining chitosan with other biomaterials such collagen or fibronectin has been proposed to improve cell affinity and scaffold performance (Rodríguez-Vázquez et al., 2015). Furthermore investigated to solve issues with the brittle nature of chitosan films and membrane permeability (Kolhe & Kannan, 2002) is the modification of chitosan using blending and copolymerization with polyethylene glycol.
Research on chitosan biomaterials has future opportunities include investigating fresh approaches for manufacturing chitosan-containing materials for dental and implant engineering uses (Sharifianjazi et al., 2022). Particularly in critical-sized flaws, the creation of chitosan-based scaffolds mixed with additional biomaterials or bioactive compounds shows promise in boosting their regeneration capacity (Signorini, 2023). Furthermore, the use of chitosan-based biomaterials in tissue regeneration initiatives—such as in skin tissue engineering—opens chances to progress regenerative medicine (Chaudhari et al., 2016).
In summary, even if chitosan-based biomaterials have many uses in biomedical, environmental, and agricultural sectors, their continued development depends on addressing issues with biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and scaffold-cell interactions even if they have different applications in these domains. Unlocking the full potential of chitosan-based biomaterials in different uses depends on continuous research projects concentrated on improving their functional qualities and adaptability.
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