Application, mode of action, and in vivo activity of chitosan and its micro- and nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents: A review

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 176; pp. 257 - 265
• Main Authors: Ma, Zhengxin, Garrido-Maestu, Alejandro, Jeong, Kwangcheol Casey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.11.2017
• Subjects: animal diseases; Animals; anti-infective agents; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial activity; antimicrobial properties; biodegradability; Chitosan; Chitosan - pharmacology; Chitosan micro- and nanoparticles; environmental factors; Food Microbiology; food safety; mechanism of action; Nanoparticles; Chitosan micro- and nanoparticles; Antimicrobial activity; Chitosan
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.08.082

•Review of factors affecting antimicrobial activity of chitosan and its micro- and nanoparticles.•In vivo antimicrobial activity of chitosan and its micro- and nanoparticles.•Information of current application of chitosan and its micro- and nanoparticles. Chitosan is widely used as an antimicrobial agent due to its biodegradability, nontoxicity, and antimicrobial properties. Although in vitro antimicrobial activity of chitosan and its derivatives were reviewed recently, its in vivo activity is not recapitulated sufficiently. This review will focus on recent studies of in vivo antimicrobial activity of chitosan and its micro- and nanoparticles to enhance food safety and animal diseases treatment. Three major factors affecting the antimicrobial activity include microbial, intrinsic, and environmental factors are discussed. The accepted and potential mechanisms regarding the use of chitosan and its micro- and nanoparticles are discussed to further understand their antimicrobial properties.