ABSTRACT
The marine environment is rich in biodiversity with novel species of microorganisms and macroorganisms, which could serve as a source for a variety of novel products and processes. Chitin and its derivatives are used in various fields, such as agriculture, food preservation, drug delivery, tissue engineering, wastewater treatment, molecular imprinting, and cosmetics. Chitosan has reactive amino, primary hydroxyl, and secondary hydroxyl groups, which can be used for chemical modifications under mild reaction conditions to alter its properties. The low viscosity and greater solubility of COS at neutral pH have attracted the interest of many researchers to utilize chitosan in its oligosaccharide form. Chitin and chitosan were used extensively in all fields by modifying their physical and chemical properties because the source of the marine biopolymer is more and it should be eco-friendly. Chitosan can be formulated as nanoparticles, microspheres, and membrane sponge for drug delivery system. The solubility of chitosan is decreased due to the cross-linking with glutaraldehyde.
