Chitosan-Based Bionanocomposites: Development and Perspectives in Food and Agricultural Applications

Nanocomposites made from natural polymers (. green composites) with bioactive compounds are a promising area in the development of bionanotechnology. Due to their biocompatibility, biological activity, and biodegradability, these bionanocomposites have an important role in biological sciences. Advantages such as renewability, low or nontoxicity, biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity, among others, have made chitosan-based biocomposites useful in a variety of applications, including therapeutic aids, medicine, functional coatings, food products, and antimicrobial packaging materials. Strategies to apply nanoscience to the food industry are quite different from the more traditional applications in biosciences and engineering. Food processing is a multitechnological manufacturing industry, involving a wide variety of raw materials, high biosafety requirements, and well-regulated technological processes. Agri-food nanotechnology is multidisciplinary in nature, and its application to agriculture and food sectors is relatively recent compared with drug delivery and pharmaceuticals sectors. Nanotechnology has the potential to protect and monitor plant growth, detect diseases in plants and animals, increase global food production, enhance food quality, and reduce waste for sustainable intensification. Foods and agricultural production are among the most important fields of nanotechnology application. The study of biocomposites is of ultimate importance in that they represent a high level of technology with promising results due to their particular characteristics. The application of biologically based composites increases even more their potential uses and versatility; moreover they have a broad functionality. In this review, aspects related to the development of bionanocompounds prepared from chitosan and bioactive compounds are discussed, as well as the toxic and antimicrobial effect of both chitosan and chitosan bionanocomposites. Aspects related to the main nanoparticle's obtaining methods and environmental implications associated with the use of nanomaterials in the agricultural area are also considered.