Emerging roles and advanced applications of carboxymethyl chitosan in food technology: A review

Carboxymethyl chitosan is an emerging biopolymer extensively used in food science due to its enhanced solubility and biocompatibility. This review explores the synthesis, properties, and multifaceted applications of carboxymethyl chitosan, emphasizing its role in food safety, preservation, and enhancement of nutritional qualities. We assess the role of carboxymethyl chitosan across various domains within the food industry, including its use in intelligent packaging, as a food auxiliary agent and a carrier for bioactive food ingredients, and in sensors for food analysis. The review discusses the potential of carboxymethyl chitosan for improving food quality, safety, and nutritional benefits. Challenges such as safety assessments and synthesis variability are also considered. Carboxymethyl chitosan exhibits promising potential for advancing food technology through its various applications. The review highlights the necessity of conducting further research to address safety concerns and optimize synthesis conditions to enhance its functional properties. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in overcoming existing challenges and maximizing carboxymethyl chitosan's utility in the food sector. • CMC applications expanded from biomedicine to food technology. • Innovative CMC uses in intelligent food packaging is highlighted. • CMC enhances bioactive ingredient stability and delivery. • Study reveals CMC's potential in microbial growth inhibition. • Advances in CMC-based sensors for food contaminant detection are illustrated.