AUTHOR=Guan Guiping , Azad Md. Abul Kalam , Lin Yuanshan , Kim Sung Woo , Tian Yun , Liu Gang , Wang Hongbing 

TITLE=Biological Effects and Applications of Chitosan and Chito-Oligosaccharides

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.00516

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2019.00516

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>The numerous functional properties and biological effects of chitosan and chito-oligosaccharides (COS) have led to a significant level of interest, particularly with regard to their potential use in the agricultural, environmental, nutritional, and pharmaceutical fields. This review covers recent studies on the biological functions of COS and the impacts of dietary chitosan and COS on metabolism. The majority of results suggest that the use of chitosan as a feed additive has favorable biological effects, such as antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, cholesterol reducing, and immunomodulatory effects. The biological impacts reviewed herein may provide a new appreciation for the future use of COS.</p>