Chitosan-protein systems: complexes, colloidal gels and interfaces

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Chitin and its main industrial derivative, chitosan, constitute the principal biopolymers from marine feedstock available today and yet, their potential in terms of value-added products has not been exploited to fullness. A recent report has announced that the world chitin and chitosan market is projected to exceed 118 000 metric tons by 2018, and that penetration into new fields will be required to realize this growth. Chitosan is however a very complex molecule and remains challenging to the scientific community and the industry. One way to overcome these limitations is to develop further knowledge of chitosan physicochemical properties in various physical states and in the presence of other components. For example, complexes formed by proteins and polysaccharides find multiple uses in applications such as encapsulation of micronutrients, stabilization of emulsions, pharmaceuticals, etc. Reports on chitosan/protein complex coacervates have been scarce in the past, however there is a regained interest in recent years considering chitosan unique intrinsic properties such as biological activity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and low toxicity.