Application of Chitosan as an Antimicrobial Agent

Abstract

Chitosan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide from chitin. The low solubility of neutral chitosan and alkaline limits its use. Nevertheless, chemical modification into composites or hydrogels brings to its new functional properties for different forms. Chitosan is recognized as a versatile biomaterial because of its non-toxicity, low allergenicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Chitosan and chitosan based-materials show higher antimicrobial with their wide applications in medicine, pharmacy, food, and textile industries. The major antibacterial mechanism of Chitosan reported as:

• Ionic interaction of positive charges of the chitosan based-materials with different molecules located on the surface of bacterial cells
• Penetration of chitosan chains into the cells and their interaction with negatively charged particles like mRNA, inhibiting protein synthesis, and so on.
• Realization of an external coating that chelates essential metals involved in microbial growth.

All these actions are subjected to the bacterial strain, the growth stage of bacterial cells and all these events can take place individually or collectively with different strengths. The researchers with the updated knowledge summarize the data related to the production, classification, modification, and the application of chitosan mainly as a natural antimicrobial agent.