Chitosan as an environment friendly biomaterial - a review on recent modifications and applications.

Chitin and Chitosan

Challenges and new opportunities on barrier performance of biodegradable polymers for sustainable packaging

Chitosan: Structural modification, biological activity and application.

Edible coatings and antimicrobial nanoemulsions for enhancing shelf life and reducing foodborne pathogens of fruits and vegetables: A review

Chitosan, derived from chitin, a major constituent (in quantity) of crustaceans, is a unique aminopolysaccharide with emerging commercial potential in agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals due to its nontoxic, biodegradable and biocompatable properties. Chitosan coating on fruits and vegetables has been found to be effective for the reduction of a variety of harmful micro-organims and extend the shelf-life of these products. In this review, our focus is on the antimicrobial properties of chitosan and its application as a natural preservative for fresh products. We detailed the key properties that are related to food preservation, the molecular mechanism of the antimicrobial activity of chitosan on fungi, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, coating methods for using chitosan and its formulation for preserving fruits and vegetables, as well as the radiation method of producing chitosan from chitin. Understanding the economic and scientific factors of chitosan's production and efficiency as a preservative will open its practical application for fruits and vegetable preservation.

Chitosan as A Preservative for Fruits and Vegetables: A Review on Chemistry and Antimicrobial Properties

Regenerated cellulose (RC) film is an important cellulose-based product with a wide range of applications in the packaging industry and drug delivery. In this study, RC film was prepared using an organic electrolyte solution (OES)/ionic liquid (IL) system consisting of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EmimAc) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to dissolve cotton linter at room temperature. Results showed that OES with EmimAc molar fraction in the range from 0.2 to 0.4 could rapidly dissolve cotton linter at room temperature, in contrast to 80 °C for EmimAc solution (control). The cellulose degradation was therefore much less than for the control, resulting in significant improvement in the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the RC film. In addition, the presence of DMSO significantly decreased the viscosity of the cellulose/OES system, being advantageous for casting of the RC film.

Junhua Zhang

Papers

Chitosan as A Preservative for Fruits and Vegetables: A Review on Chemistry and Antimicrobial Properties

Facile preparation of regenerated cellulose film from cotton linter using organic electrolyte solution (OES)