Abstract
Chitosan is a biopolymer, which is obtained from the discarded by-products residual in edible crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs. The chitosan polymer exhibits a wide applicability in various arenas, which range from agriculture, medicine, tissue and bone engineering, the food sector, cosmetics, textiles, pharmaceutical nanostructure materials, biotechnology, the paper industry, and even wastewater treatment. The physical properties of the chitosan polymer exert significant influence on its biological properties. The application of chitosan biopolymer as an edible coating on horticultural commodities has revealed immense potential to maintain the quality as well as extend postharvest life of several fruits such as litchi, longan, papaya, peach, mango, table grapes, strawberries, and sweet cherries among many others. The chitosan polymer is also used in the agricultural fields for its antimicrobial activities to reduce the losses due to decay and diseases. Additionally, chitosan biopolymer can increase yield, is natural, edible, and biodegradable without having any adverse influences such as allergenic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic activities. The chitosan polymer has natural antimicrobial, environment friendly, biocompatible, biodegradable, and film-forming properties, and is nontoxic to mammals. Thus it exhibits the potential to be used for maintaining the quality, safety, and enhancement of the postharvest life of agricultural and horticultural commodities and minimally processed food products.
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