Recent Advances in Chitosan Polysaccharide and Its Derivatives in Antimicrobial Modification of Textile Materials

Chitosan is partially or completely N-deacetylated derivative of chitin and is chemically composed of β‑(1, 4) linked 2‑amino‑2‑deoxy‑β‑d‑glucopyranose. Biocompatibility, non-toxicity, antifungal activity, water-binding capacity, bioactivity and antimicrobial properties make chitosan particularly attractive substitute for synthetic polymers in different application fields and notably in the textile industry. The presence of reactive amino and hydroxyl groups along the backbone conifer chitosan some interesting properties for use in textile dyeing and finishing. However, the main barrier to the use of chitosan is the lack of water solubility at neutral pH and poor durability on textile surfaces. To overcome this, chitosan has been chemically modified in several ways to obtain a wide range of important derivatives with a broad range of applications. This review is intended to provide a recent overview of chitosan and its derivatives and highlight their role in the development of antimicrobial textiles.