Recycling of waste compounds: chitosan of biological origin as a raw material for ENMs production

Chitosan is one of the most abundant biopolymers on earth, together with cellulose, and is easily obtainable from chitin-based waste (crustaceans, fungi, insects) using circular economy processes. Therefore, considerable interest is conferred to its application in developing new technologies for eco-sustainability in agriculture, especially in synthesizing nanomaterials. Furthermore, it is known that its beneficial properties, such as the induction of biological responses concerning plant defense against stresses, are enhanced when the polymer is in a nanometric form. Furthermore, chitosan nanostructures show better interaction with plant teguments and an appreciated durability and stability; hence, they are also suitable as carriers for bioactive molecules to be used as new-generation agronomic formulates for crop nutrition or protection. Given their potential in the future, this lesson will take an in-depth look at the properties and synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles, including some examples of plant pathology applications.