Yu Ying, Su Zhongwen, Peng Yonggang, Zhong Yujing, Wang Lin, Xin Meihua, Li Mingchun
College of Material Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Engineering Research Center of Environment-Friendly Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Xiamen 361021, Fujian, China.
College of Chemistry and Environment, Ankang University, Qinba Chinese Medicine Resources R&D Center, Ankang 725000, Shaanxi, China.
Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Feb;289:138772. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138772. Epub 2024 Dec 13.
Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide with recognized biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness, is primarily sourced from crustacean exoskeletons. Its inherent limitations such as poor water solubility, low thermal stability, and inadequate mechanical strength have hindered its widespread application. However, through modifications, chitosan can exhibit enhanced properties such as water solubility, antibacterial and antioxidant activities, adsorption capacity, and film-forming ability, opening up avenues for diverse applications. Despite these advancements, realizing the full potential of modified chitosan remains a challenge across various fields. The purpose of this review article is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the chemical modification techniques of chitosan and their applications in biotechnology and biomedical fields. It aims to overcome the inherent limitations of chitosan, such as low water solubility, poor thermal stability, and inadequate mechanical strength, thereby expanding its application potential across various domains. This review is structured into two main sections. The first part delves into the latest chemical modification techniques for chitosan derivatives, encompassing quaternization, Schiff base formation, acylation, carboxylation, and alkylation reactions. The second part provides an overview of the applications of chitosan and its derivatives in biotechnology and biomedicine, spanning areas such as wastewater treatment, the textile and food industries, agriculture, antibacterial and antiviral activities, drug delivery systems, wound dressings, dental materials, and tissue engineering. Additionally, the review discusses the challenges associated with these modifications and offers insights into potential future developments in chitosan-based materials. This review is anticipated to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance to scientists engaged in biotechnology and biomedical research.
壳聚糖是一种具有公认的生物相容性、无毒性和成本效益的天然多糖，主要来源于甲壳类动物的外骨骼。其固有的局限性，如较差的水溶性、低热稳定性和不足的机械强度，阻碍了其广泛应用。然而，通过改性，壳聚糖可以展现出增强的性能，如水溶性、抗菌和抗氧化活性、吸附能力和成膜能力，为各种应用开辟了道路。尽管有这些进展，但在各个领域充分发挥改性壳聚糖的潜力仍然是一项挑战。这篇综述文章的目的是对壳聚糖的化学改性技术及其在生物技术和生物医学领域的应用进行全面评估。其旨在克服壳聚糖固有的局限性，如低水溶性、差的热稳定性和不足的机械强度，从而扩大其在各个领域的应用潜力。本综述分为两个主要部分。第一部分深入探讨壳聚糖衍生物的最新化学改性技术，包括季铵化、席夫碱形成、酰化、羧化和烷基化反应。第二部分概述了壳聚糖及其衍生物在生物技术和生物医学中的应用，涵盖废水处理、纺织和食品工业、农业、抗菌和抗病毒活性、药物递送系统、伤口敷料、牙科材料和组织工程等领域。此外，该综述讨论了与这些改性相关的挑战，并对基于壳聚糖的材料未来潜在的发展提供了见解。预计这篇综述将为从事生物技术和生物医学研究的科学家提供理论见解和实践指导。
