Chitosan, derivatives substrate

Chitosan and its derivatives are also effective in regenerating the wounded skin tissue. A chitosan/collagen-based scaffold combining dermal stem cells and hair follicle epidermal stem cells was reported to provide a suitable substrate for the tridimensional growth of skin stem cells (40). An active laminin peptide-conjugated chitosan membrane has recently been demonstrated as a suitable scaffold material for delivering keratinocytes to the wound bed (41). 

Table 6.2 Antimicrobial finishing of cellulosic substrates using chitosan and its derivatives... 

In addition to the already mentioned role of chitosan and some of its derivatives in the treatment of waste waters in the food industry, these substrates have also been applied for the treatment of residual waters from the mining and chemical industries, usually contaminated with heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, lead and copper. These processes can be very efficient, even if the metal content in the effluents is as low as 10-50ppm [88],... 

Chitosan is a main derivative of chitin gained by N-deacetylation by treating with 40-50% NaOH, followed by several purification steps. TTie reactive amino and hydroxyl groups of chitosan make it soluble in aqueous solution at pH <6.5. The ability of chitosan as an immobilization substrate lies in its remarkable affinity to proteins, physiological inertness, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability [132]. 

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