ABSTRACT
Chitosan (CS), a linear polysaccharide, produced from the outer skeleton of shellfish, including crab, lobster and shrimp, is an important animal-derived biomaterial, used for several purposes, including medicine, the drug industry and agriculture. The CS application had been reported to improve the storability of fresh fruits and vegetables and is an important alternative for synthetic agrochemicals. It is biodegradable and antimicrobial, which makes it environmental and human friendly. Edible films or coatings derived from and/or supported by chitosan have high beneficial functions. CS provides a protective coating for fresh products and is antimicrobial. Moreover, the good mechanical strength, transparency and ability to make a physical barrier for gaseous and water vapor makes the CS an important agent for postharvest handling. In this chapter, we have aimed to provide detailed information about the benefits, application and future of chitosan.
