The importance of chitosan has grown significantly over the last two decades due to its renewable and biodegradable source, and also because of the recent increase in the knowledge of its functionality in the technological and biomedical applications. The present article reviews the biopolymer chitosan and its derivatives as versatile biomaterials for potential drug delivery systems, as well as tissue engineering applications, analgesia and treatment of arthritis.

Capsules were prepared from chitosan (QTS)-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend by saline coacervation and then by formalization. A adsorbent based on chitosan, insoluble on acid solution, was obtained. The morphology, average diameters of QTS/PVA capsules and their pores were studied by using scanning electron microscopy. The entrapment-adsorption of dimethylglioxime and ethylenediaminetetracetate by the capsules were studied. The removal of the ion nickel (II) and copper (II), was more effective than by using unloaded capsules.

RESUMO: Microesferas de quitosana com grau de reticulação de 24% foram empregadas para adsorção dos corantes reativos Azul 2, Preto 5 e Laranja 16. A adsorção dos corantes reativos foi avaliada em função da acidez da solução e do tempo de contato com o adsorvente. A constante de velocidade (k) e a capacidade de adsorção aumentaram com a diminuição do pH. Em pH > 10,0, a adsorção dos corantes praticamente não ocorre, assim soluções neste pH podem ser usadas para dessorver os corantes das microesferas. A principal interação é de natureza eletrostática entre os grupos -NH3+ da quitosana e -SO3- dos corantes.

Microspheres of chitosan with the degree of cross-linking of 24% were used for adsorption of the reactive dyes Blue 2, Black 5 and Orange 16. The adsorption of the reactive dyes on microspheres of cross-linked chitosan was studied. The rate constants and the adsorption capacity were determined with buffered dye solutions at different pH values and a function of the contact time with the chitosan microspheres. At pH > 10.0 the adsorption of dyes practically does not occur and these pH conditions may be used to desorb the dyes from the microspheres. The main interaction of electrostatic nature is due to the binding between -NH3+ groups in chitosan and -SO3- in dyes.