Introductory Aspects of Carboxymethyl Chitosan Derivatives

Chitosan is a biopolymer produced by chitin deacetylation. Since the amino groups in chitosan are primarily protonated when pH <6.5, the polymer can only be dissolved in weak acidic solutions. However, many of its potential applications are limited by the poor solubility of chitosan when pH > 6.5. In order to overcome the poor solubility in aqueous conditions, chemical modifications are required. Chemical modification of chitosan into carboxymethylated chitosan (CMC) derivatives significantly promotes chitosan’s solubility in a broad pH range. Diverse CMC derivatives can be synthesized by controlling the reaction conditions. In comparison to chitosan, CMC derivatives exhibit better water solubility, moisture retention ability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial property, antioxidant activity, and increased metal ion sorption capacity. This chapter delivers an overview of the status and current challenges of different CMC derivatives in antimicrobial, wound healing, hemostasis, anticancer, drug delivery, and tissue engineering areas.