Diverse applications of versatile quaternized chitosan salts: A review

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2024-11, Vol.281 (Pt 3), p.136276, Article 136276
• Main Authors: López-Maldonado, Eduardo Alberto, Mavaei, Maryamosadat, Dan, Sasan, Banitaba, Seyedeh Nooshin, Gholamhosseinpour, Maryam, Hamedi, Sepideh, Villarreal-Gómez, Luis Jesús, Pérez-González, Graciela Lizeth, Mashkouri, Sara, Khademolqorani, Sanaz, Elgarahy, Ahmed M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; antioxidants; Antioxidants - chemistry; Antioxidants - pharmacology; bioactive properties; biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; biodegradability; Biomedical applications; chitosan; Chitosan - analogs & derivatives; Chitosan - chemistry; Chitosan - pharmacology; copolymerization; cost effectiveness; crosslinking; Environmental remediation; fabrics; filtration; Food Packaging - methods; Humans; industry; Multifunctional material design; N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] chitosan (N-HTCS); polymers; Quaternized chitosan salts; Salts - chemistry; Salts - pharmacology; Solubility; surface area; Textile functionalization; water solubility
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136276

In the ever-evolving world of materials science, modifying natural polymers has garnered significant attention across diverse industries, driven by their inherent availability and cost-effectiveness. Among these, chitosan, a pseudo-natural cationic polymer, has emerged as a versatile player, finding applications in medical, pharmaceutical, filtration, and textile sectors, owing to its exceptional biodegradability, non-allergenicity, antimicrobial properties, and eco-friendly nature. However, the limitations of chitosan, such as low surface area, poor solubility at neutral to alkaline pH, and inadequate thermal-mechanical properties, have prompted researchers to explore innovative modification strategies, including graft copolymerization, quaternization, and cross-linking. This review delves into the remarkable potential of a specific chitosan derivative, N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] chitosan salts (N-HTCS), a quaternized form of chitosan. This review uniquely examines the properties and multifaceted applications of N-HTCS, spanning biomedical, textile, food packaging, and environmental domains. The outstanding features of N-HTCS, including antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial bioactivity, as well as biocompatibility, biodegradability, hemostatic, piezoelectric, superparamagnetic, water solubility, and permeation-enhancing effects, offer novel solutions to the limitations of unmodified chitosan. Notably, while previous reviews have addressed the significance of chitosan, this work presents a groundbreaking focus on the N-HTCS derivative, providing a fresh perspective and paving the way for the design and engineering of cutting-edge N-HTCS-based devices and applications. The comprehensive coverage of this review aims to inspire researchers and industry professionals to explore the untapped potential of this remarkable chitosan derivative, unlocking new frontiers in material science and technology. [Display omitted] •Exploration of quaternized chitosan salts (N-HTCS) and their exceptional properties.•Emphasis on the superior bioactivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of N-HTCS for biomedical applications.•Highlighting the unique textile functionalization capabilities of N-HTCS, including antimicrobial and piezoelectric effects.•Discussion of N-HTCS's potential in environmental remediation, focusing on different water pollutants adsorption.•Innovative design insights for N-HTCS-based materials and advanced devices.