Carbohydrate Based Nanocarriers

After lipids and proteins, carbohydrates are the most abundant primary metabolites present in our environment. Mostly, carbohydrates exist in their polysaccharide form, with more than ten monosaccharide groups attached in glycosidic bonds. Cellulose and chitin are considered the most widely available homopolysaccharides, specifically in cell walls in plants and exoskeleton parts of arthropods such as insects, lobsters, crabs, and shellfish. Generally, heteropolysaccharides, including hyaluronate, chondroitin sulfate, and keratin sulfate found in cells, tissues, and organs, provide support, protection, and shape to bacteria and mammals (Glasser 2008).