Chitosan

Synonyms:  2-Amino-2-deoxy-(1,4)-b-D-glucopyranan; chitosani hydrochloridum; deacetylated chitin; deacetylchitin; b-1,4-poly-D-glucosamine; poly-D-glucosamine; poly-(1,4-b-D-glucopyranosamine).

Description: Chitosan occurs as odorless, white or creamy-white powder or flakes. Fiber formation is quite common during precipitation and the chitosan may look ‘cottonlike’.

Chemical Name: Poly-b-(1,4)-2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose

Coating agent; disintegrant; film-forming agent; mucoadhesive; tablet binder; viscosity increasing agent.

• Chitosan is used in cosmetics and is under investigation for use in a number of pharmaceutical formulations.

• The suitability and performance of chitosan as a component of pharmaceutical formulations for drug delivery applications has been investigated in numerous studies.

• These include controlled drug delivery applications, use as a component of mucoadhesive dosage forms, rapid release dosage forms, improved peptide delivery, colonic drug delivery systems, and use for gene delivery.

• Chitosan has been processed into several pharmaceutical forms including gels, films, beads, microspheres, tablets, and coatings for liposomes.

• Furthermore, chitosan may be processed into drug delivery systems using several techniques including spray-drying, coacervation, direct compression, and conventional granulation processes.

Chitosan is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

Chitosan is being investigated widely for use as an excipient in oral and other pharmaceutical formulations. It is also used in cosmetics. Chitosan is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material. It is biocompatible with both healthy and infected skin

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Chitosan is combustible; open flames should be avoided. Chitosan is temperature-sensitive and should not be heated above 200C. Airborne chitosan dust may explode in the presence of a source of ignition, depending on its moisture content and particle size. Water, dry chemicals, carbon dioxide, sand, or foam fire-fighting media should be used.

Chitosan derivatives are easily obtained under mild conditions and can be considered as substituted glucens