The formation of hydrogels based on chitosan and its water-soluble derivatives

This review considers articles on the formation of hydrogels based on chitosan as well as succinylated and quaternized chitosan derivatives. They are synthesized using low toxicity reagents, under ordinary conditions (low production costs). Chitosan derivatives are soluble in an extended range of pH values and characterized by mucoadhesiveness, bioavailability and biodegradability, which extends the potential of their medical applications. One of the most important properties of chitosan and its derivatives is the ability to form hydrogels. Depending on the nature of the bonds that occur during formation, hydrogels are divided into chemically or physically crosslinked, or a mixture of the two. Chemically crosslinked gels have covalent bonds, while physically crosslinked gels are formed by noncovalent interactions, for example, ionic. Mixed hydrogels have both types of crosslinking.