Chapter 6 - Barrier properties, antimicrobial and antifungal activities of chitin and chitosan-based IPNs, gels, blends, composites, and nanocomposites

Abstract

Chitin can be found abundantly in nature and has applications from polymer matrix in composites to food packaging, due to its promising barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, deacetylation of chitin into chitosan provides allows better solubility in water and organic solvents. This chapter covers marine and insect chitin sources. The parameters affecting barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of chitin and chitosan are discussed. In addition, important permeability tests have been listed and the development of barrier properties of chitin and chitosan nanocomposites is reviewed. Besides that, the mechanism of the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of chiting and chitosan are discussed. Last but not least, applications of chitin and chitosan in packaging, dietary supplements, agriculture, and cosmeceuticals have been discussed to show the link between the fundamentals of chitin and chitosan and the real-world applications.