11 Conclusions
Despite the abundant availability of chitosan in nature, it has not yet been completely
accepted by the scientific community. This may be due to the wide range of sources
of chitosan that gives rise to various types of chitosan with different properties and,
hence, to specific applications. In other words, one particular chitosan (depending on
its source) used for a particular application may not be suitable for other applications
and vice versa. Therefore, it should be mandatory to mention the source of chitin and
chitosan when using chitosan for a particular purpose so as to avoid confusion.
In view of this, various sources of chitin and chitosan and their extraction processes
are discussed here. Chitosan not only possesses versatile properties but also offers a
wealth of biological, biochemical, and biomechanical functionality that can be used
to develop new biomaterials. In order to realize its full functional potentiality,
various ways of engineering chitosan-based nanostructures are being explored
along with their possible nanotechnological applications. Therefore, it is hoped
that this review will help the reader to accumulate information for further research
in new directions with the help of nanotechnology for the betterment of mankind.
References
1. Zheng H, Du Y, Yu J et al (2001) Preparation and characterization of chitosan/poly(vinyl
alcohol) blend fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 80:2558–2565
2. Knaul JZ, Hudson SM, Creber KAM (1999) Improved mechanical properties of chitosan
fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 72:1721–1732
3. Jiu H, Du Y, Wang X et al (2004) Chitosan kill bacteria through cell membrane damage. Int J
Food Microbiol 95:147–155
4. Dong Y, Wang H, Zheng W et al (2004) Liquid crystalline behavior of chitooligosaccharides.
Carbohydr Polym 57:235–240
Table 9 (continued)
Chitosan-based
nanomaterial
Method of preparation
Application
Reference
Chitosan/PLGA
nanoparticles
Emulsion–diffusion–evaporation
technique
Cell delivery vehicle
[253]
Chitosan nanogelassociated
recombinant NcPDI
Ionic gelation
Chitosan-based
nanogels represent
an innovative
platform for both
intranasal (i.n.) and
intraperitoneal (i.p.)
vaccination
approaches to limit
the disease caused
by Neospora
caninum infection
[254]
Engineering of Polysaccharides via Nanotechnology
123
Despite the abundant availability of chitosan in nature, it has not yet been completely
accepted by the scientific community. This may be due to the wide range of sources
of chitosan that gives rise to various types of chitosan with different properties and,
hence, to specific applications. In other words, one particular chitosan (depending on
its source) used for a particular application may not be suitable for other applications
and vice versa. Therefore, it should be mandatory to mention the source of chitin and
chitosan when using chitosan for a particular purpose so as to avoid confusion.
In view of this, various sources of chitin and chitosan and their extraction processes
are discussed here. Chitosan not only possesses versatile properties but also offers a
wealth of biological, biochemical, and biomechanical functionality that can be used
to develop new biomaterials. In order to realize its full functional potentiality,
various ways of engineering chitosan-based nanostructures are being explored
along with their possible nanotechnological applications. Therefore, it is hoped
that this review will help the reader to accumulate information for further research
in new directions with the help of nanotechnology for the betterment of mankind.
References
1. Zheng H, Du Y, Yu J et al (2001) Preparation and characterization of chitosan/poly(vinyl
alcohol) blend fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 80:2558–2565
2. Knaul JZ, Hudson SM, Creber KAM (1999) Improved mechanical properties of chitosan
fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 72:1721–1732
3. Jiu H, Du Y, Wang X et al (2004) Chitosan kill bacteria through cell membrane damage. Int J
Food Microbiol 95:147–155
4. Dong Y, Wang H, Zheng W et al (2004) Liquid crystalline behavior of chitooligosaccharides.
Carbohydr Polym 57:235–240
Table 9 (continued)
Chitosan-based
nanomaterial
Method of preparation
Application
Reference
Chitosan/PLGA
nanoparticles
Emulsion–diffusion–evaporation
technique
Cell delivery vehicle
[253]
Chitosan nanogelassociated
recombinant NcPDI
Ionic gelation
Chitosan-based
nanogels represent
an innovative
platform for both
intranasal (i.n.) and
intraperitoneal (i.p.)
vaccination
approaches to limit
the disease caused
by Neospora
caninum infection
[254]
Engineering of Polysaccharides via Nanotechnology
123