Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Molecules. 2022 Apr 28;27(9):2801. doi: 10.3390/molecules27092801.
Chitosan is a biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide obtained by partial deacetylation of chitin. This polymer has been gaining increasing popularity due to its natural origin, favorable physicochemical properties, and multidirectional bioactivity. In agriculture, the greatest hopes are raised by the possibility of using chitosan as a biostimulant, a plant protection product, an elicitor, or an agent to increase the storage stability of plant raw materials. The most important properties of chitosan include induction of plant defense mechanisms and regulation of metabolic processes. Additionally, it has antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant activity. The effectiveness of chitosan interactions is determined by its origin, deacetylation degree and acetylation pattern, molecular weight, type of chemical modifications, pH, concentration, and solubility. There is a need to conduct research on alternative sources of chitosan, extraction methods, optimization of physicochemical properties, and commercial implementation of scientific progress outcomes in this field. Moreover, studies are necessary to assess the bioactivity and toxicity of chitosan nanoparticles and chitosan conjugates with other substances and to evaluate the consequences of the large-scale use thereof. This review presents the unique properties of chitosan and its derivatives that have the greatest importance for plant production and yield quality as well as the benefits and limitations of their application.
壳聚糖是一种可生物降解和生物相容的多糖，通过甲壳素的部分脱乙酰化获得。由于其天然来源、良好的物理化学性质和多向生物活性，这种聚合物越来越受欢迎。在农业中，人们对壳聚糖作为生物刺激素、植物保护产品、诱导剂或提高植物原料储存稳定性的试剂的应用寄予厚望。壳聚糖最重要的性质包括诱导植物防御机制和调节代谢过程。此外，它还具有抗真菌、抗菌、抗病毒和抗氧化活性。壳聚糖相互作用的有效性取决于其来源、脱乙酰度和乙酰化模式、分子量、化学修饰类型、pH 值、浓度和溶解度。需要对壳聚糖的替代来源、提取方法、物理化学性质的优化以及该领域科学研究成果的商业化应用进行研究。此外，有必要研究壳聚糖纳米粒子和壳聚糖与其他物质的缀合物的生物活性和毒性，并评估其大规模使用的后果。本综述介绍了壳聚糖及其衍生物对植物生产和产量质量最重要的独特性质，以及其应用的益处和局限性。
