ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Engineering strategies, applications for safety and sustainability in chitosan-based emerging food systems

Ahmet Gökhan Ağgül, Mustafa Dolaz, Veyis Karakoç, Emrah Dikici, Tuba Gök, Burcu Önal Acet, Mehmet Odabaşı, and Ömür Acet

Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı, Turkey

E-mail: emrah.dikici25@gmail.com

Abstract:

Chitosan, a versatile and sustainable biopolymer, has emerged as a promising platform for developing advanced strategies in food safety and preservation. Its tunable molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, and hierarchical structure enable the rational design of diverse functional architectures, including nanostructures, coatings, membranes, and smart packaging systems with enhanced antimicrobial, antioxidant, barrier, and biocompatible properties. Beyond conventional preservation approaches, chitosan-based materials offer multifunctional solutions by extending shelf life, maintaining food quality, reducing environmental impacts, and enabling active and intelligent food packaging applications. Emerging applications include contaminant management strategies, such as microbial control and the adsorption of hazardous compounds, including aflatoxins and heavy metals. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the structural characteristics, modification strategies, functional properties, and diverse applications of chitosan-based materials in sustainable food protection systems. Furthermore, current challenges related to scalability, regulatory requirements, consumer acceptance, and commercialization are discussed, highlighting future perspectives for the successful translation of chitosan-based technologies into practical food applications.

Graphical abstract

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-05460-7

Chemical Papers 80 (10) 11383–11429 (2026)