This review explores the diverse applications of chitosan, a biodegradable and eco-friendly biopolymer derived from chitin, across agriculture, herbal products, and functional food systems. The article highlights chitosan’s role in enhancing plant growth, improving resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, stimulating secondary metabolite production in medicinal plants, and extending food shelf life through its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Advances in chitosan derivatives, nanoparticles, and water-soluble forms are discussed, emphasizing their potential to replace synthetic chemicals in sustainable agriculture and food processing. The review underscores chitosan’s growing commercial value and its contribution to environmentally responsible food and agricultural innovations.
Resource type:
Peer review