Chitosan Derivatives: Properties and Applications

Abstract

Chitosan, a linear polymer comprising of β, 1–4 linkages of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucosamine, is produced by chitin deacetylation. Due to their insoluble nature in aqueous and organic solutions, their usage for various applications is limited considering their low mechanical properties. Globally, several studies are involved in enhancing the properties of chitosan by adding various functional groups without altering the major framework and hence expand their application in various fields. The present chapter discusses the properties of chitosan derivatives and their potential applications. The significance of derivatives of chitosan in biomedical practices is highlighted in this chapter.