Chitosan is the most common natural polymer after natural cellulose. It is obtained by deacetylating chitin and has many versatile uses because of its solubility in weak acids; it can be used to produce biodegradable adhesive films, fibers of different thicknesses obtained by means of electrospinning, functional hydrogels, nanoemulsions and nanoparticles for functions such as the packaging of active substances for controlled release administration, and other derivatives with great potential, in addition to its use in mineral complexing. The range of possible applications is very broad, from food to the environment, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medical products, textiles, and cosmetics, and it is used not only for its chemical and physical characteristics but also for its antimicrobial, antibacterial, wound-healing, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerosis, and anticancer properties. Its nontoxicity allows chitosan to be used long term as a soluble dietary fiber to improve digestion and aid the development of intestinal microflora with significant benefits to the health of the organism.
Applications of chitosan as a functional food / Gallo, Monica; Naviglio, Daniele; Arturo, Armone Caruso; Ferrara, Lydia. - 1:(2016), pp. 425-464. [doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-804308-0.00013-3]
Applications of chitosan as a functional food
GALLO, MONICA;NAVIGLIO, DANIELE;FERRARA, LYDIA
2016
Abstract
Chitosan is the most common natural polymer after natural cellulose. It is obtained by deacetylating chitin and has many versatile uses because of its solubility in weak acids; it can be used to produce biodegradable adhesive films, fibers of different thicknesses obtained by means of electrospinning, functional hydrogels, nanoemulsions and nanoparticles for functions such as the packaging of active substances for controlled release administration, and other derivatives with great potential, in addition to its use in mineral complexing. The range of possible applications is very broad, from food to the environment, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medical products, textiles, and cosmetics, and it is used not only for its chemical and physical characteristics but also for its antimicrobial, antibacterial, wound-healing, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerosis, and anticancer properties. Its nontoxicity allows chitosan to be used long term as a soluble dietary fiber to improve digestion and aid the development of intestinal microflora with significant benefits to the health of the organism.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
