Application Of Chitosan Research Articles

Fabrication of chitosan-based fluorescent hydrogel membranes cross-linked with bisbenzaldehyde for efficient selective detection and adsorption of Fe2+

Chitosan, as a natural biomass material, is green, recyclable, sustainable and well biocompatible. The molecular chain is rich in active groups such as amino and hydroxyl groups, and its preparation of fluorescent probes has the advantages of biocompatibility and efficient detection performance. In this study, a bis(benzaldehyde) (BHD) fluorescent functional molecule was designed. Then a series of fluorescent chitosan-based hydrogel films (CSBHD) were prepared using chitosan as raw material and BHD as cross-linking agent. As a fluorescent probe for metal ions, CSBHD was able to efficiently detect Fe2+ with a linear correlation of fluorescence intensity in the range of 0–160 μM, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.55 μM. Moreover, it has excellent adsorption performance for Fe2+ ions, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 223.5 g/mg at 500 mg/L Fe2+ concentration. Finally, we characterised the structure and microscopic morphology of CSBHD films and found that CSBHD as a hydrogel film has a high cross-linking density, good water resistance, excellent thermal stability, strong resistance to swelling, and excellent stability in cycling tests. Hence, it has great potential for application in adsorption and detection of Fe2+ ions. It also provides a good strategy for the application of chitosan based fluorescent probe materials in environmental monitoring and heavy metal ion adsorption.

Effect of Chitosan on Synovial Membrane Derived Cells and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Fibroblasts.

Previously, chitosan reduces the senescence-related phenotypes in human foreskin fibroblasts through the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway, and enhances the proliferation and migration capabilities of these cells are demonstrated. In this study, we examined whether the senescence-delaying effect of chitosan could be applied to primary knee-related fibroblasts, such as human synovial membrane derived cells (SCs) and anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts (ACLs). These two types of cells were obtained from donors who needed ACL reconstruction or knee replacement. We found that chitosan treatment effectively reduced aging-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal)-positive cells, downregulated the expression of senescence-related proteins pRB and p53, and enhanced the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation ability of SCs and ACLs. Moreover, chitosan could make SCs secret more glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and produce type I collagen. The ability of ACLs to close the wound was also enhanced, and the TGF-β and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) protein expression decreased after chitosan treatment. In summary, chitosan not only delayed the senescence but also enhanced the functions of SCs and ACLs, which is beneficial to the application of chitosan in cell expansion in vitro and cell therapy.

Experimental investigation of sandy soil stabilization using chitosan biopolymer

The performance of an environmentally friendly biopolymer synthesised from secondary resources to overcome the wind erosion of sandy soil was investigated in this study. The study employed a multi-scale approach to investigate the mechanical, erosional, and hydraulic properties of sandy soil. At the macroscale, experimental techniques such as unconfined and triaxial compression tests, permeability measurements, contact angle assessments, and wind tunnel experiments were utilized to characterize the bulk behavior of the soil. Concurrently, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted at the nanoscale to predict surface mechanical characteristics and elucidate chemical interactions at the molecular level. Results show that when the outer surface of the sandy particles is coated with a sparse concentration of biopolymer, the sandy aerosol inhibitory performance is significant even under extreme storm conditions reaching speeds of 140 km/h of storms. The study on the impact of biopolymer content, curing time, and curing conditions revealed that the addition of chitosan biopolymer has the ability to enhance the bonding between particles and significantly enhance the mechanical properties of sandy soil. The atomic insight from molecular dynamics reveals huge entanglement between sandy particles and biopolymer by Van der Waals interaction. The results of the Unconfined Compressive Strength test indicate that chitosan enhances the compressive strength of sand by up to 320 kPa. Additionally, the triaxial test demonstrated that the application of chitosan led to a 34.2 kPa improvement in the cohesion of sand. Furthermore, analysis of the permeability test results revealed a decrease in the hydraulic conductivity coefficient from 1.6 × 10^-6 m/s to 5.7 × 10^-7 m/s, representing a reduction of approximately 35 %.

Control of Peach Leaf Curl with Foliar Applications of Plant Immunity Inducers and Insights in Elicitation of Defense Responses against Taphrina deformans.

Taphrina deformans is the causal agent of leaf curl, a serious peach disease which causes significant losses in peach production worldwide. Nowadays, in order to control plant diseases, it is necessary to adopt novel and low-cost alternatives to conventional chemical fungicides. These promising strategies are targeted at eliciting host defense mechanisms via priming the host through the consecutive application of plant immunity inducers prior to pathogen challenge. In this study, we investigated whether chitosan or yeast cell wall extracts could provide enhanced tolerance against leaf curl in two-season field trials. Furthermore, we addressed the possible molecular mechanisms involved beyond the priming of immune responses by monitoring the induction of key defense-related genes. The efficacy of spraying treatments against peach leaf curl with both inducers was significantly higher compared to the untreated control, showing efficacy in reducing disease severity of up to 62.6% and 73.9% for chitosan and yeast cell wall extracts, respectively. The application of chitosan in combination with copper hydroxide was more efficient in reducing disease incidence and severity, showing efficacy values in the range of 79.5-93.18%. Peach plantlets were also spray-treated with immunity inducers three times prior to leaf inoculation with T. deformans blastospores in their yeast phase. The relative expression levels of nine key defense and priming genes, including those encoding members of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and hub genes associated with hormone biosynthesis, were monitored by RT-qPCR across three days after inoculation (dai). The results indicate that pre-treatments with these plant immunity inducers activated the induction of genes involved in salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonate (JA) defense signaling pathways that may offer systemic resistance, coupled with the upregulation of genes conferring direct antimicrobial effects. Our experiments suggest that these two plant immunity inducers could constitute useful components towards the effective control of T. deformans in peach crops.

Mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan-based composite film as food packaging: A review

Chitosan can serve as a natural alternative to petroleum-based components in food packaging; however, the mechanical and barrier properties of pure chitosan film possess certain limitations. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the mechanical and barrier properties of composite films formed by combining chitosan-based films with plasticizers, polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. These composite films often exhibit superior mechanical strength and enhanced barrier performance compared to pure chitosan film, thereby expanding the potential applications of chitosan in food packaging. Chitosan represents an ideal raw material for developing innovative biofilms that can cater to diverse packaging requirements for various food products while offering promising prospects for broad application.

Nanoparticles‐based double‐stranded RNA delivery as an antiviral agent in shrimp aquaculture

AbstractThe review encapsulates the comprehensive exploration of RNA interference technology's application in shrimp aquaculture, covering molecular intricacies, production methods, and practical applications. The emphasis is on exploring the stability and delivery of gene‐specific double‐stranded RNA, particularly through nanoencapsulation. This is because the susceptibility of dsRNA to degradation and limited cellular penetration, emphasising the need for effective delivery mechanisms. The review presents an in‐depth exploration of nanoparticles for the encapsulation and delivery of dsRNA, including virus‐like particles (VLPs), and non‐viral based nanoparticles such as liposomes, chitosan, and beta‐glucan. VLPs, derived from non‐infectious shrimp virus structures, exhibit biocompatibility and natural functionality, making them suitable carriers for dsRNA. The application of chitosan and its derivatives are explored for their efficacy in reducing viral infections in shrimp. Beta‐glucan particles are examined for their immunostimulant properties in shrimp aquaculture. The text emphasises the use of yeast‐based glucan particles for encapsulating dsRNA, showcasing their potential in preventing viral diseases in shrimp. The review introduces cautionary considerations for nanoparticle formulation, highlighting factors such as pH, organic solvents, metal ions, and environmental ribonuclease that can impact dsRNA stability during synthesis. In conclusion, the text discusses the potential economic worthiness and environmental risk assessment of dsRNA technology in shrimp aquaculture. While acknowledging successful applications in other environments, it underscores the need for regulatory approval and risk assessment for dsRNA‐based products in the aquaculture industry. The evaluation of dsRNA in real‐world shrimp farms is deemed necessary for commercial utilisation, taking into account income, expenses, safety, and environmental considerations.

Research progress on chitosan and its derivatives in the fields of corrosion inhibition and antimicrobial activity.

Chitosan stands out as the only known polysaccharide of its kind, second only to cellulose. As the second-largest biopolymer globally, chitosan and its derivatives are extensively used in diverse areas such as metal anti-corrosion prevention, food production, and medical fields. Its benefits include environmental friendliness, non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and biodegradability. Notably, the use of chitosan and its derivatives has gained substantial attention and has been extensively researched in the fields of metal anti-corrosion prevention and antibacterial applications. By means of chemical modification or synergistic action, the inherent limitations of chitosan can be substantially improved, thereby enhancing its biological and physicochemical properties to meet a wider range of applications and more demanding application requirements. This article offers a comprehensive review of chitosan and its modified composite materials, focusing on the enhancement of their anticorrosion and antibacterial properties, as well as the mechanisms by which they serve as anticorrosion and antibacterial agents. Additionally, it summarizes the synthesis routes of various modification methods of chitosan and their applications in different fields, aiming to contribute to the interdisciplinary development and potential applications of chitosan in various areas.

Investigating the simultaneous effect of chitosan and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, phenolic compounds, PAL enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation in Salvia nemorosa L.

Considering the importance of Salvia nemorosa L. in the pharmaceutical and food industries, and also beneficial approaches of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis and the use of bioelicitors such as chitosan to improve secondary metabolites, the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of chitosan on the symbiosis of AMF and the effect of both on the biochemical and phytochemical performance of this plant and finally introduced the best treatment. Two factors were considered for the factorial experiment: AMF with four levels (non-inoculated plants, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices and the combination of both), and chitosan with six levels (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg L−1 and 1% acetic acid). Four months after treatments, the aerial part and root length, the levels of lipid peroxidation, H2O2, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, total phenol and flavonoid contents and the main secondary metabolites (rosmarinic acid and quercetin) in the leaves and roots were determined. The flowering stage was observed in R. intraradices treatments and the highest percentage of colonization (78.87%) was observed in the treatment of F. mosseae × 400 mg L−1 chitosan. Furthermore, simultaneous application of chitosan and AMF were more effective than their separate application to induce phenolic compounds accumulation, PAL activity and reduce oxidative compounds. The cluster and principal component analysis based on the measured variables indicated that the treatments could be classified into three clusters. It seems that different treatments in different tissues have different effects. However, in an overview, it can be concluded that 400 mg L−1 chitosan and F. mosseae × R. intraradices showed better results in single and simultaneous applications. The results of this research can be considered in the optimization of this medicinal plant under normal conditions and experiments related to abiotic stresses in the future.

Chitosan from Mushroom Improves Drought Stress Tolerance in Tomatoes.

Chitosan is a derivative of chitin that is one of the most abundant biopolymers in nature, found in crustacean shells as well as in fungi cell walls. Most of the commercially available chitosans are produced from the exoskeletons of crustaceans. The extraction process involves harsh chemicals, has limited potential due to the seasonal and limited supply and could cause allergic reactions. However, chitosan has been shown to alleviate the negative effect of environmental stressors in plants, but there is sparse evidence of how chitosan source affects this bioactivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of chitosan from mushroom in comparison to crustacean chitosan in enhancing drought stress tolerance in tomato plants (cv. MicroTom). Chitosan treatment was applied through foliar application and plants were exposed to two 14-day drought stress periods at vegetative and fruit set growth stages. Phenotypic (e.g., fruit number and weight), physiological (RWC) and biochemical-stress-related markers (osmolytes, photosynthetic pigments and malondialdehyde) were analyzed at different time points during the crop growth cycle. Our hypothesis was that this drought stress model will negatively impact tomato plants while the foliar application of chitosan extracted from either crustacean or mushroom will alleviate this effect. Our findings indicate that drought stress markedly decreased the leaf relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll content, increased lipid peroxidation, and significantly reduced the average fruit number. Chitosan application, regardless of the source, improved these parameters and enhanced plant tolerance to drought stress. It provides a comparative study of the biostimulant activity of chitosan from diverse sources and suggests that chitosan sourced from fungi could serve as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to the current chitosan from crustaceans.

Chitosan and Its Derivative-Based Nanoparticles in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Molecular Mechanisms of Action and Promising Anticancer Strategies

Gastrointestinal cancers account for a significant health concern as the existing treatment modalities, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, exhibit considerable drawbacks, including a high probability of recurrence, insufficient drug specificity, and severe adverse effects. Hence, novel therapeutic approaches and enhanced tissue-specific targeting are required. Nanomedicine is a field of medicine that uses nanoscale carriers for targeting and administering drugs or diagnostic agents to particular tissues. In the field of nanomedicine, chitosan nanoparticles are well-established delivery technologies used as polymeric carriers. Chitosan is a natural carbohydrate that is biocompatible, biodegradable, polycationic, and mucoadhesive. Chitosan has shown promise in the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs, gene therapy, and immunotherapy for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. The limited water solubility of chitosan is one of its major disadvantages as a drug delivery system. Thus, solubility may be increased by chemically treating chitosan. Chitosan derivatives improve the activity, selectivity, biocompatibility, and therapeutic dose reduction of anticancer drugs when used in hydrogel, emulsion, surfactant formulations, and nanoformulation. Chitosan and its derivatives have shown effectiveness in nanoparticle production and exhibit unique surface properties, enabling them to interact selectively with gastrointestinal tumors through both active and passive targeting mechanisms. This review focuses on the molecular signaling pathways of chitosan nanoparticles and their derivatives as potential anticancer agents. The potential of future chitosan applications in gastrointestinal cancers is additionally highlighted.

Chitosan application improves yield and quality of rocket (Eruca sativa)

Chitosan application improves yield and quality of rocket (Eruca sativa)

Application of Chitosan in Industry and Medicine: A Mini-Review

Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin, has attracted considerable attention due to its versatile applications in industry and medicine. In industry, chitosan is used due to its remarkable properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. It is used in various sectors including wastewater treatment, food packaging and fabric production. In medicine, the unique properties of chitosan make it a valuable material for drug delivery systems, wound healing, tissue engineering, etc. Its biocompatibility and ability to enhance drug absorption make it a promising candidate for pharmaceutical applications. The multifaceted nature of chitosan offers a wide range of opportunities for innovative developments in industrial and medical fields.

Chitosan combined with humic applications during sensitive growth stages to drought improves nutritional status and water relations of sweet potato

The current decline in freshwater resources presents a significant global challenge to crop production, a situation expected to intensify with ongoing climate change. This underscores the need for extensive research to enhance crop yields under drought conditions, a priority for scientists given its vital role in global food security. Our study explores the effects of using humic and chitosan treatments to alleviate drought stress during critical growth phases and their impact on crop yield and water efficiency. We employed four different irrigation strategies: full irrigation, 70% irrigation at the early vine development stage, 70% irrigation during the storage root bulking stage, and 85% irrigation across both stages, complemented by full irrigation in other periods. The plants received either humic treatments through foliar spray or soil application, or chitosan foliar applications, with tap water serving as a control. Our findings highlight that the early vine development stage is particularly vulnerable to drought, with a 42.0% decrease in yield observed under such conditions. In normal growth scenarios, foliar application of humic substances significantly improved growth parameters, resulting in a substantial increase in yield and water efficiency by 66.9% and 68.4%, respectively, compared to the control treatment under full irrigation. For sweet potatoes irrigated with 70% water at the storage root bulking stage, ground application of humic substances outperformed both foliar applications of chitosan and humic in terms of yield results. The highest tuber yield and water efficiency were attained by combining chitosan and humic ground applications, regardless of whether 70% irrigation was used at the storage root bulking stage or 85% irrigation during both the early vine development and storage root bulking stages.

Monitoring plant responses in field-grown peanuts exposed to exogenously applied chitosan under full and limited irrigation levels

In recent decades, numerous studies have examined the effects of climate change on the responses of plants. These studies have primarily examined the effects of solitary stress on plants, neglecting the simultaneous effects of mixed stress, which are anticipated to transpire frequently as a result of the extreme climatic fluctuations. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of applied chitosan on boosting the resistance responses of peanuts to alkali and mixed drought-alkali stresses. Peanuts were grown in mid-alkaline soil and irrigated with full irrigation water requirements (100%IR), represented alkali condition (100% IR × alkali soil) and stress conditions (70% IR × alkali soil—represented mixed drought-alkali conditions). Additionally, the plants were either untreated or treated with foliar chitosan. The study evaluated various plant physio-chemical characteristics, including element contents (leaves and roots), seed yield, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Plants that experienced solitary alkali stress were found to be more vulnerable. However, chitosan applications were effective for reducing (soil pH and sodium absorption), alongside promoting examined physio-chemical measurements, yield traits, and IWUE. Importantly, when chitosan was applied under alkali conditions, the accumulations of (phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper) in leaves and roots were maximized. Under mixed drought-alkali stresses, the results revealed a reduction in yield, reaching about 5.1 and 5.8% lower than under (100% IR × alkali), in the first and second seasons, respectively. Interestingly, treated plants under mixed drought-alkali stresses with chitosan recorded highest values of relative water content, proline, yield, IWUE, and nutrient uptake of (nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium) as well as the lowest sodium content in leaves and roots. Enhances the accumulation of (N, K, and Mg) instead of (phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper) was the primary plant response to chitosan applications, which averted severe damage caused by mixed drought-alkali conditions, over time. These findings provide a framework of the nutrient homeostasis changes induced by chitosan under mixed stresses. Based on the findings, it is recommended under mixed drought-alkali conditions to treat plants with chitosan. This approach offers a promising perspective for achieving optimal yield with reduced water usage.

Effects of Chitosan Combined with ε-Polylysine Treatment on the Postharvest Quality and Antioxidant Status of Winter Jujube

During storage, winter jujube often experiences physiological disorders that can result in postharvest quality deterioration. To address this concern, a combination of 1% chitosan (CTS) and varying concentrations (0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg mL-1) of ε-polylysine (ε-PL) was applied. The findings indicated that the treatment involving the combination of 1% CTS with 0.2 mg mL-1ε-PL exhibited superior efficacy in preserving the hardness and titratable acid content of winter jujube. Additionally, the jujube fruits of this treatment exhibited a deceleration in the rise of decay incidence, red index, and weight loss rate. Simultaneously, the application of CTS combined with ε-PL treatment improved the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD, and APX) and enhanced contents of antioxidant compounds (AsA and GSH). Moreover, the generation of reactive oxygen species (H2O2 and O2-.) was suppressed. Consequently, CTS combined with ε-PL treatment effectively enhanced postharvest quality and regulated antioxidant status of winter jujube.

Preparation of CS-LS/AgNPs Composites and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes.

Synthetic dyes are prone to water pollution during use, jeopardizing biodiversity and human health. This study aimed to investigate the adsorption and photocatalytic assist potential of sodium lignosulfonate (LS) in in situ reduced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and chitosan (CS)-loaded silver nanoparticles (CS-LS/AgNPs) as adsorbents for Rhodamine B (RhB). The AgNPs were synthesized by doping LS on the surface of chitosan for modification. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to confirm the synthesis of nanomaterials. The adsorption and photocatalytic removal experiments of RhB were carried out under optimal conditions (initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L, adsorbent dosage of 0.02 g, time of 60 min, and UV power of 250 W), and the kinetics of dye degradation was also investigated, which showed that the removal rate of RhB by AgNPs photocatalysis can reach 55%. The results indicated that LS was highly effective as a reducing agent for the large-scale production of metal nanoparticles and can be used for dye decolorization. This work provides a new catalyst for the effective removal of dye from wastewater, and can achieve high-value applications of chitosan and lignin.

Eco‐friendly chitosan polymer mitigates disease severity and mediates plant resistance against Beet curly top Iran virus in tomato

AbstractA tomato‐infecting virus known as Beet curly top Iran virus (BCTIV) cause a significant disease for tomato plants and several other plant species around the world. Chitosan polysaccharide is a natural biopolymer that has been utilised as an exo‐elicitor to enhance plant defence mechanisms against a variety of plant diseases. This study investigates the efficacy of chitosan in combating BCTIV disease on tomato plants and modulating the host–virus interaction under greenhouse conditions. Twenty‐four hours before the virus inoculation, tomato plants were sprayed with a protective chitosan solution at different concentrations (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/mL). Tomato plants were inoculated with a BCTIV infectious clone using an Agrobacterium‐inoculation method. The findings clearly demonstrated a reduction in the severity of the disease in chitosan‐treated plants as compared to Mock‐plants, with the percentage decreasing from 61.53% to 75.28% in 1.5 mg/mL treated plants and from 9.01% to 28.43% in 0.5 mg/mL treated plants. In addition, the utilisation of chitosan has the potential to deactivate the accumulation of BCTIV within the host tissues. The virus accumulation was greatly alleviated in 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/mL‐treated plants by 71.29%, 90.11%, and 93.14%, respectively, and over the mock plants. Furthermore, it was found that chitosan applied at all tested concentrations increased the relative expression and mRNA accumulation of genes related to resistance, including the pathogenesis‐related protein gene PR‐1, the HSP90 gene, and the AGO2a antiviral gene. These genes reached their maximum by 22.9‐, 12.93‐, and 4.44‐fold increases, respectively, over the untreated control. According to gas chromatography–mass spectroscop (GC‐MS) fractionation profile, chitosan increased 28 bioactive metabolic components, such as n‐hexadecanoic acid, heptanone, 1,2‐dimethylbenzene, dicarboxylic acid, and cis‐11‐octadecenoic acid methyl‐ester, to improve metabolic pathways. Results reported here revealed that foliar application of chitosan decreases the rate of the disease severity and virus accumulation in BCTIV‐infected tomato plants. This effect is associated with increased gene expression and defence‐related factors, enhancing tomato resistance to BCTIV infection. Consequently, chitosan treatments could be part of an integrated approach for reducing the severity of BCTIV disease in tomato and other host plants.

Effects of Chitosan and 1-MCP on the Physical and Chemical Quality of Salak “Pondoh” (Salacca edulis REINW.) Fruits

Salak, or snake fruit, is a tropical fruit with a short shelf life when stored at room temperatures. The fruit’s base, if injured or bruised, can serve as an entry point for microbes, leading to physical and chemical damage to the fruits. This research aims to determine if chitosan and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment can prolong the shelf life of salak “Pondoh”. The study tested two factors, chitosan (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) and 1-MCP concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 µL.L-1). The findings indicate that the application of chitosan and 1-MCP treatments did not significantly extend the shelf life of the fruits on the 15th day of observation. However, 1.0% chitosan combined with 1.5 µL.L-1 1-MCP and 1.5% chitosan combined with 0.5 µL.L-1 1-MCP proved effective in enhancing the fruit’s overall quality and maintained low ethylene production, high water content, and enhanced the organoleptic attributes including ease of peeling, fruit flesh color, texture, aroma, and taste.

Disulfide bond network crosslinked flexible multifunctional chitosan coating on fabric surface prepared by the chitosan grafted with thioctic acid

In this study, we propose a novel approach to improve the performance of chitosan coating, and thioctic acid with disulfide bonds in its molecular structure was grafted onto the side groups of chitosan macromolecules. The introduction of disulfide bond network cross-linking structure in chitosan coating weakens hydrogen bonds between chitosan macromolecules, causing the macromolecular chains to be more prone to relative motion when subjected to external forces, ultimately improving flexibility of the coating. The modified chitosan becomes more suitable for antibacterial modification in smart wearable fabrics. Subsequently, we fabricated a smart wearable fabric with excellent antibacterial properties and strong electromagnetic shielding by employing the layer-by-layer spraying technique. This involved incorporating chitosan with disulfide bonds and MXene nanoparticles. The fabric surfaces containing chitosan with disulfide bonds exhibited enhanced flexibility compared to unmodified chitosan fabric, resulting in an 8-point improvement in tactile sensation ratings. This research presents a novel approach that simultaneously enhances the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and efficient antibacterial properties of smart wearable textiles. Consequently, it advances the application of chitosan in the field of antibacterial finishing for functional textiles.

Molecular Mechanism Underlying Pathogenicity Inhibition by Chitosan in Cochliobolus heterostrophus.

Chitosan, as a natural nontoxic biomaterial, has been demonstrated to inhibit fungal growth and enhance plant defense against pathogen infection. However, the antifungal pattern and mechanism of how chitosan application evokes plant defense are poorly elucidated. Herein, we provide evidence that chitosan exposure is fungicidal to C. heterostrophus. Chitosan application impairs conidia germination and appressorium formation of C. heterostrophus and has a pronounced effect on reactive oxygen species production, thereby preventing infection in maize. In addition, the toxicity of chitosan to C. heterostrophus requires Mkk1 and Mps1, two key components in the cell wall integrity pathway. The Δmkk1 and Δmps1 mutants were more tolerant to chitosan than the wild-type. To dissect chitosan-mediated plant defense response to C. heterostrophus, we conducted a metabolomic analysis, and several antifungal compounds were upregulated in maize upon chitosan treatment. Taken together, our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of chitosan-alleviated infection of C. heterostrophus, which would promote the application of chitosan in plant protection in agriculture.