Chitosan- A Naturally Derived Antioxidant Polymer with Diverse Applications

Chitosan is the N-deacetylated derivative of chitin which is second most available natural polymer after cellulose. Chitosan is associated with various important biological effects such as anticancer, wound healing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, as excipients in various formulations including control release drug delivery products etc. However chitosan as such is poorly soluble in water and other common solvents which may restrict its commercial application and the problem of solubility may be resolved to some extent by the use of different synthesized derivatives of chitosan. Further, the vast application of chitosan and its derivatives has fostered the researchers to find more new and improved derivatives having newer applications in various fields of science.