From molecular design to clinical translation A critical and in 2026 Next M

Chitosan is a structurally versatile and functionally adaptable biopolymer that has attracted significant attention across pharmaceutical, biomedical, environmental, and food-related applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique physicochemical properties. This review critically evaluates the structural characteristics of chitosan, including variations in its degree of deacetylation and their impact on its functional performance. A comprehensive analysis of the structure-property-function relationships is conducted, focusing on the physicochemical characterization techniques that contribute to understanding the functional capabilities of chitosan. The review also discusses the scalability of chitosan production methods, highlighting the regulatory standardization challenges that must be addressed to facilitate its clinical translation. By integrating findings from recent studies, this article aims to provide insights into how the manipulation of chitosan’s structural features can enhance its application in various biomedical fields. The results indicate a strong correlation between molecular design and performance, thereby emphasizing the importance of a cohesive approach to translating chitosan from laboratory settings to clinical practice.