Molecular modifications, biological activities, and applications of chitosan and derivatives: A recent update

Polysaccharides arouse great interest due to their structure and unique properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and absence of toxicity. Polysaccharides from marine sources are particularly useful due to the wide variety of applications and biological activities. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is an example of an interesting bioactive marine-derived polysaccharide. Moreover, a wide variety of chemical modifications and conjugation of chitosan with other bioactive molecules are responsible for improvements in physicochemical properties and biological activities, expanding the range of applications. An overview of the synthetic approaches for preparing chitosan, chitosan derivatives, and conjugates is described and discussed. A recent update of the biological activities and applications in different research fields, mainly focused on the last 5 years, is presented, highlighting current trends.

Automated summary

Polysaccharides have attracted great interest due to their structure and unique properties. Polysaccharides from marine sources are particularly useful because of their wide range of applications and biological activities. Chitosan, a bioactive polysaccharide derived from marine sources, has undergone various chemical modifications and conjugation with other bioactive molecules to improve its physicochemical properties and biological activities, expanding its applications. This article provides an overview of synthetic approaches for preparing chitosan, chitosan derivatives, and conjugates, and presents a recent update on the biological activities and applications in different research fields, with focus on the last 5 years.