Applications of chitosan and their derivatives in beverages: a critical review

- Chitosan matrices can be used in beverages as preservatives and active packaging.
- These positive charged polysaccharides are used in beverages clarification.
- Low molecular weight chitosan is preferably used for bioactive compounds encapsulation.
- Structural features and physico-chemical properties of chitosans may be tailored to each application.

Chitosan and its derivatives have been proposed for application in beverages either as natural preservatives or active packaging due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In addition, these positive charged polysaccharides have been also useful for beverages clarification and encapsulation of bioactive compounds. This review gives an overview of the recent chitosan-based matrices used for clarification, preservation, encapsulation, and active and intelligent packaging of different beverage types, such as alcoholic, dairy-based drinks, and non-alcoholic, including fruit juices, nectars, concentrated fruit juices, tea, coffee, and tisanes. The potential applications of chitosan-based matrices to the beverages sector should be defined having into account the structural features and physico-chemical properties of the polysaccharides.

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