Chitosan-based biomaterials for tissue engineering

Derived from chitin, chitosan is a unique biopolymer that exhibits outstanding properties, beside biocompatibility and biodegradability. Most of these peculiar properties arise from the presence of primary amines along the chitosan backbone. As a consequence, this polysaccharide is a relevant candidate in the field of biomaterials, especially for tissue engineering. The current article highlights the preparation and properties of innovative chitosan-based biomaterials, with respect to their future applications. The use of chitosan in 3D-scaffolds - as gels and sponges - and in 2D-scaffolds - as films and fibers - is discussed, with a special focus on wound healing application. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.