A Review: Chitosan nanoparticles and its biological application

Amity University Dubai, UAE

^* Corresponding author: shwethaS@amitydubai.ae

Published online: 19 December 2025

Abstract

Chitosan is a polysaccharide consisting of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and β-linked D-glucosamine that are distributed uniformly. It is obtained by treating the chitin shells of crustaceans with a basic agent such as NaOH. Due to its capacity to attach to various biomolecules and compounds, it has also been used as a chelating agent. Chitosan and chitin nanofibers can be biodegradable and biocompatible with 50-500 nm diameter. Hence, they can be used as wound healing and hemostatic materials. It is widely used as a biopolymer across fields such as water treatment, food processing, clothing and cosmetics. Therefore, chitosan formulations with such molecules, including films, hydrogels, fibers and emulsions, have been developed in a wide variety of ways and have been used in various fields. In terms of use and distribution, after cellulose, the second largest green biomaterial is known to be chitosan. The synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles through the method of green engineering is the main focus of modern research in nanotechnology. Chitosan nanoparticles are also becoming a cost-effective and an eco-friendly alternative for successful applications in biomedical field. Therefore, this study summarizes the research on chitosan, its derivatives and chitosan nanoparticles, focusing on their synthesis, characterization and medicinal applications.