Title
Chitosan: a critical review of structural characteristics - properties relationship
Authors
LUMINITA MARIN, BIANCA IUSTINA ANDREICA, DANIELA AILINCAI, ALEXANDRU ANISIEI and RAMONA LUNGU

Received Dedicated to the memory of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu (1948 – 2024)
Published Volume 59 Issue 7-8 July-August
Keywords chitosans, overview, polycationic, structure, properties

Abstract
Recognized for its potential for over 50 years, chitosan continues to captivate researchers aiming to develop innovative biomaterials across a wide spectrum of applications including biomedicine, agriculture, environmental protection, cosmetics, and food technology. Following extensive investigations into its safety, properties, and possible uses, chitosan has now entered a phase of maturity, where the focus shifts toward translating research into market-ready products. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive understanding of the influence of the structural parameters of chitosan on its functional properties is necessary. These parameters, which are highly dependent on the source and method of preparation, significantly affect not only physicochemical characteristics, such as crystallinity, solubility, and viscosity, but also key bioactivities including biodegradability, antimicrobial efficacy, hemostatic potential, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this context, the present review aims to provide an analysis of the relationship between structural parameters of chitosan and its properties, offering a valuable insight into the rational design of chitosan-based products with real world applicability.