CHITOSAN APPLICATIONS IN FOOD INDUSTRY

Abstract

Chitosan comes from a natural product, chitin, which is found in the exoskeleton (shell) of marine crustaceans (red crabs, shrimps, lobsters etc.) and in the internal structure of other invertebrates (molluscs). Due to its functional activity, chitosan has been widely used in food and medical fields for its antibacterial, antioxidant, inhibitory activity and biodegradability over the last half-century.
The work presents aspects regarding the importance of chitosan in improving people's health, as well as its applications in different fields.