Chitosan is a glucosamine polysaccharide and N-acetylglucosamine units are obtained by alkaline deacetylation of chitin which is extracted from the exoskeleton of crustaceans, such as shrimps and crabs, as well as some fungi. The following characteristics make this polymer advantageous for numerous applications:

– It has a defined chemical structure;
– It can be chemically and enzymatically modified;
– It is physically and biologically functional;
– It is biodegradable and biocompatible with many organs, tissues and cells; It is biodegradable and biocompatible with many organs, tissues and cells.
– It can be transformed into various products, such as flakes, fine powders, beads, membranes, sponges, cottons, fibers and gels. Therefore, it has found considerable application in various industrial areas.

In research and development, the diverse uses of chitosan are evident, with greater interest in relation to its link with nanotechnology for its application in wastewater treatment and in the pharmaceutical industry. The main lines of technological development are framed in its use in medicinal preparations as a non-active ingredient and in cosmetic products.

Obtaining pharmaceutical-grade chitosan on an industrial scale in Cuba will allow the development of novel medicines and cosmetics, as well as novel platforms for drug administration.