Chitosan: A versatile polymer for enhancing plant bioactive accumulation, managing plant diseases, and advancing food preservation technologies

Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer composed of N-acetyl D-glucosamine and D-glucosamine units linked by
β-(1→4) glycosidic bonds. It is known for its diverse biological applications, which include antimicrobial,
antioxidant, antitumor, immunomodulatory, immunoadjuvant, and metal ion chelating abilities. Despite these
benefits, the complexity of chitosan’s structure limits its use in specific applications, particularly in scalability,
solubility, and formulation stability. This review examines chitosan’s role in food technology, agriculture, and
tissue culture, focusing on its potential to enhance the accumulation of secondary metabolites and its applica­
tions in nanotechnology. A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar,
was conducted to gather relevant literature. Chitosan is used in food technology to preserve seafood and meat,
package them, and monitor degradation. Its role in improving crop productivity and plant disease management
and promoting growth in both ex-vitro and in-vitro conditions has been discussed, as have chitosan-based
nanoformulations as plant growth promoters and biocides. Further research could unlock chitosan’s potential
to enhance food security, environmental sustainability, and sustainable agriculture. Future research should be
directed toward enabling chitosan’s broader applications beyond food technology and agriculture. An integrated
effort among academic institutions, research centres, and regulatory bodies is needed to bridge the gap between
innovation and practical implementation. These efforts include joint research initiatives, policy framework
development, capacity building, public-private partnerships, harmonization of standards, and fostering collab­
oration between industries and regulatory agencies. These efforts aim to validate new technologies, establish
shared databases, streamline approval processes, and ensure research outcomes are translatable into regulatory
and commercial frameworks.