Konjac glucomannan (KGM) was utilized as a novel, natural capping and stabilizing agent for the green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) with potential biomedical applications. The synthesized KGM-MgO NPs were predominantly spherical with mild aggregation and an average particle size of 13.34 nm, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The biological performance of the nanoparticles was evaluated through antioxidant, hemocompatibility, and cytotoxicity assays, together with in vivo wound healing, in ovo angiogenesis, and phytotoxicity studies. The KGM-MgO NPs exhibited moderate antioxidant activity and remained non-hemolytic up to 100 μg/mL, while inducing a concentration-dependent reduction in viability of A2780 ovarian cancer cells. In vivo wound healing experiments demonstrated that a 1 wt% KGM-MgO NPs formulation significantly enhanced wound contraction (82% by day 14), accompanied by improved collagen deposition and re-epithelialization. No adverse effects on vascular architecture were observed in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model, and no phytotoxic effects were detected in Vigna radiata. These findings establish KGM as an effective biopolymer capping agent for MgO nanoparticles and support their suitability for wound healing and related biomedical applications.

Gastrointestinal cancers continue to pose a major global health challenge, underscoring the urgent need for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. On the other hand, although polyphenols are widely recognized for their strong anticancer potential, their clinical effectiveness is hindered by poor bioavailability, instability, and rapid metabolic degradation. To overcome these limitations, the integration of nanocarrier-based delivery systems has emerged as a promising solution. These systems greatly improve the solubility, targeted delivery, and controlled release of polyphenols, which makes them more effective as medicines. This review explores the dynamic interplay between nanocarriers and polyphenols, emphasizing their combined potential in advancing gastrointestinal cancer treatment. Additionally, the review paper discusses the latest nanotechnology-driven diagnostic innovations that promise earlier cancer detection and better clinical outcomes. Leveraging polyphenol-loaded nanocarriers offers a compelling alternative to conventional therapies one that is more precise, efficient, and reduces reliance on toxic chemical agents.

This study aims to develop a novel chitosan-based pH-responsive hydrogel for sustained curcumin (Cur) delivery. Chitosan was modified with norbornene dicarboxylic anhydride to introduce reactive double bonds and enhance solubility, while cysteine-modified Pluronic F127 was crosslinked via UV-induced thiol-ene chemistry to form a stable three-dimensional network. The hydrogel structure was tuned by adjusting the CSNB/CPC ratio and characterized using 1H NMR, solid-state 13C NMR, FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM, and rheology. The optimized hydrogel achieved a drug loading capacity of 13.3 mg/g and exhibited pH-responsive release in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, with kinetics well-fitted to the Peppas-Sahlin model (R2 > 0.98), dominated by Fickian diffusion. Functional evaluation showed that NC4 displayed nearly 90% DPPH radical scavenging efficiency, and its antioxidant potential was further supported by the Folin-Ciocalteu (GAE) assay and the phosphomolybdenum (AAE) assay, indicating enhanced overall reducing capacity and total antioxidant capacity. NC4 also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Biocompatibility was confirmed by CCK-8 and hemolysis assays, with cell viability exceeding 90% and hemolysis rates below 0.35%. Collectively, this multifunctional hydrogel integrates sustained release, antioxidant, antibacterial, and excellent biocompatibility, providing a promising material platform for oral controlled drug delivery and wound healing applications.

Carboxymethylated tara gum (CMTG) is an anionic galactomannan whose macroscopic behavior depends on the interplay between degree of substitution (DS), molecular degradation, and charge density. In this work, a rapid microwave-assisted carboxymethylation strategy was developed and optimized using response surface methodology and compared with a conventional reflux etherification method. Microwave irradiation enabled reproducible substitution levels close to unity (DSCM approximate to 1.0) within 20 min, compared with 3 h under reflux conditions, but simultaneously promoted significant alkaline-induced chain fragmentation. Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR) confirmed successful etherification, whereas SEC analysis revealed multimodal molecular weight distributions with substantial low-molecular-weight fractions generated under microwave processing. Rheological analysis demonstrated that carboxymethylation markedly reduced the zero-shear viscosity (eta 0) from 6.55 Pa & sdot;s for native tara gum to 0.59-1.99 Pa & sdot;s for CMTG derivatives, together with a reduction in relaxation time (lambda) from 0.62 to 0.18 s, indicating decreased chain entanglement and faster structural relaxation. Despite this molecular fragmentation, highly substituted microwave-synthesized CMTG exhibited pronounced shear-thinning behavior, improved water solubility, and enhanced viscoelastic responsiveness associated with electrostatic chain expansion and charge-induced intermolecular interactions. Overall, microwave-assisted carboxymethylation provides a rapid and tunable route to engineer galactomannans with controllable substitution, molecular architecture, and rheological response for potential thickening, stabilization, and delivery applications.

Inherently active hydrogels have emerged as a new class of biomaterials that integrate therapeutic function directly into their molecular architecture, transforming hydrogels from passive carriers into multifunctional platforms capable of addressing complex pathological environments. By leveraging intrinsic chemical features, such as cationic groups, redox-active moieties, bioactive peptides, polysaccharide motifs, and metal–ligand coordination, these systems exhibit built-in antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic activities without relying on exogenous drugs. This paradigm offers several advantages, including reduced risk of burst release, enhanced local potency, and increased stability of therapeutic function. Recent advances encompass peptide-based nanofibrillar networks with selective cytotoxicity, polyphenol- and polysaccharide-rich matrices that modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, and chitosan- or catechol-functionalized hydrogels capable of rapid clot formation and robust tissue adhesion. Across applications in oncology, chronic wounds, infection control, and trauma care, preclinical models demonstrate promising efficacy and biocompatibility. However, intrinsic activity introduces new trade-offs: multifunctional designs can challenge cytocompatibility, degradation behavior remains difficult to predict, and metal- or polyphenol-based systems raise concerns regarding long-term safety and standardization. Future progress will depend on optimizing structure–activity relationships, validating multifunctional advantages in clinically relevant models, and establishing scalable, reproducible manufacturing strategies that comply with regulatory pathways. Overall, inherently active hydrogels represent a rapidly advancing frontier with strong potential to evolve into next-generation therapeutic biomaterials for regenerative medicine, oncology, and wound management.

A novel zwitterionic chitosan derivative (5OHSCS) was synthesized via EDC/NHS-mediated coupling and incorporated into a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix to fabricate PVA/5OHSCS composite films by solution casting. This work aimed to develop an active packaging film for food preservation with integrated antibacterial, antioxidant, and UV-blocking functions. The chemical structure, physicochemical properties, and functional performance of the films were systematically characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as optical measurements, mechanical testing, water vapor permeability (WVP), and water contact angle analysis. Compared with neat PVA film, the PVA/ 5OHSCS composite films showed improved functional properties. Under the optimized formulation, the antibacterial inhibition rates reached 95% against Escherichia coli and 100% against Staphylococcus aureus, together with enhanced in vitro radical-scavenging activity. In addition, the composite film exhibited reduced UV-region transmittance, suggesting a certain UV-shielding capability. Cytocompatibility evaluation showed that 293 T cell viability remained above 80%, indicating no obvious cytotoxicity under the tested conditions. A strawberry storage study at room temperature further suggested that the composite film could help delay quality deterioration, improve weight-loss control and texture retention, and prolong the shelf life of strawberries to some extent within the tested storage period. Overall, the PVA/5OHSCS composite film may provide a feasible strategy for the design of multifunctional PVA-based active packaging materials with potential in fresh produce preservation.

In this study, a series of structurally defined benzylpyridinium-functionalized chitosan derivatives were successfully synthesized via EDC/NHS-mediated amidation. Their structural characteristics, thermal stability, and crystallinity were systematically characterized using FT-IR, UV-Vis, H-1 NMR, TGA, and XRD analyses. Antimicrobial performance was rigorously evaluated by determining the MIC, MBC, and inhibition rate of each derivative against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). The results revealed that the incorporation of the benzylpyridinium group markedly enhanced the antibacterial performance of chitosan, achieving a 100 % inhibition rate against both bacterial strains at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Antioxidant evaluations, including DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, further demonstrated remarkable free radical elimination, with particularly prominent hydroxyl radical scavenging efficiency. Notably, a concentration as low as 0.4 mg/mL was sufficient to achieve complete eradication. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity tests (cell viability > 80 %) and hemocompatibility assessments (hemolysis rate < 5 %) verified the biosafety of the derivatives, confirming their excellent cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility, and highlighting their strong potential for biomedical applications. Overall, this work elucidates the structure-activity relationships of benzylpyridinium-modified chitosan derivatives, highlighting their multifunctional advantages of antibacterial, antioxidant, and biocompatible properties. These findings provide a solid experimental foundation and theoretical basis for their practical application in biomedical materials, functional packaging, and food preservation.

Over the past decade, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles have driven transformative progress across diverse scientific disciplines, industrial sectors, and research domains. In recent years, biologically mediated nanoparticle synthesis has carved out a well-defined and rapidly growing niche within nanotechnology. It has progressively displaced conventional physicochemical methods in many research contexts, essentially because of its safer operational profile, lower cost, environmental compatibility, and the intrinsic biocompatibility of the products obtained. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), in particular, have attracted considerable and sustained scientific interest. Their attractiveness stems from a markedly broad functional profile, they have shown real promise as both antimicrobial and anticancer agents, among other applications. Yet, reports describing honeybee propolis extracts as capping agents in CuO NPs fabrication remain scarce. The present study therefore explores, the synthesis of CuO NPs employing honeybee propolis extract as a capping agent (PPS-CuO NPs) and evaluates antioxidant capacity, hemolytic potential, effect on biofilm-associated biomass, cytotoxicity, in ovo angiogenesis in the CAM model, phytotoxicity, and in vivo toxicity using zebrafish embryos. Initially, the chemical profile of propolis was characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). GC/MS profiling identified the dominant compound classes as alkanes, phenolic compounds, thiophilic acids, aromatic acids, aliphatic acids, sugars, esters, and terpines. Among the individual constituents detected, linoleic acid, ethyl oleate, hexadecanoic acid, and propanoic acid were prominent. Thereafter, the biogenically synthesized PPS-CuO NPs were thoroughly physicochemical characterized and found to be quasi-spherical and oval-shaped with sizes ranging from 100 to 150 nm. The PPS-CuO NPs demonstrated a substantial inhibition of Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa growth at a concentration of 500 μg/mL, while simultaneously exhibiting quantifiable antioxidant activity in comparison to normal ascorbic acid. Hemolytic activity became significant only at 500 μg/mL; lower concentrations produced no appreciable lysis. In the cytotoxicity arm of the study, MTT assays showed a clear dose-dependent reduction in the viability of human triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells over 48 h of treatment spanning 0.1–500 μg/mL. The CAM model, assessed at the 96 h timepoint, showed no meaningful perturbation of vascular architecture, suggesting reasonable vascular biocompatibility. The phytotoxicity tests in mung bean (Vigna radiata), however, indicated that PPS-CuO NPs did impair seed germination at the highest concentration but restricted both root and shoot elongation non-significantly. In the zebrafish embryotoxicity model, 50 μg/mL was sufficient to alter embryo morphology and shift mortality and survival profiles at 96 h post-fertilization. On balance, these results suggest that propolis-stabilized CuO NPs produced via an eco-friendly route retain meaningful biological activity while displaying an acceptable biocompatibility window, a combination that supports their further evaluation for biomedical use.

In this study, a novel series of chitosan derivatives bearing sulfobetaine quaternary ammonium groups with distinct spacer moieties (alkyl, pyridyl, and phenyl) was synthesized for the first time via a three-step modification involving carboxymethylation, quaternization, and amidation. The structures were thoroughly characterized using FTIR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR, TGA, XRD, and SEM. Antibacterial assays showed significant inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and S. aureus, with BQCMCS (containing a phenyl spacer) exhibiting the highest efficacy, achieving a 99% inhibition rate against S. aureus. Antioxidant properties were assessed using DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, with BQCMCS demonstrating superior scavenging activity, exceeding 80% for multiple radicals. Biocompatibility tests revealed negligible cytotoxicity toward 293T cells and hemolysis rates below 5%. Overall, these derivatives exhibit outstanding antibacterial, antioxidant, and biosafety profiles, highlighting their promising potential for applications in food packaging, biomedical materials, and drug delivery systems.

To develop chitosan-based wound dressings that integrate rapid gelation, antibacterial protection, hemostatic activity, and favorable biocompatibility, methacrylated N, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (N, O-CMCs-MA) was synthesized by introducing photocrosslinkable methacrylate groups into N, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (N, O-CMCs) via methacrylic anhydride functionalization. A series of B hydrogels composed of N, O-CMCs and N, O-CMCs-MA were subsequently constructed. FT-IR and 1H NMR analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of N, O-CMCs-MA. The vial inversion test demonstrated that all prepared hydrogels underwent rapid gelation under UV irradiation, forming stable gel networks within 1 min. With increasing N, O-CMCs-MA content, the hydrogel pore structure became progressively denser, accompanied by reduced swelling capacity and enhanced storage modulus, indicating that the photocrosslinkable component effectively improved network stability and mechanical support. Antibacterial assays revealed that, compared with the single-component photocrosslinked system, the N, O-CMCs/N, O-CMCs-MA composite hydrogels exhibited more pronounced inhibition of bacterial growth and effectively reduced the microbial burden in a pig skin surface contamination model, suggesting their potential for antibacterial wound protection. Moreover, these hydrogels promoted platelet adhesion and decreased the blood clotting index, demonstrating favorable procoagulant activity. Hemolysis and CCK-8 assays showed that most hydrogel samples exhibited acceptable hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility, except for several high-concentration treatment groups. Overall, the synergistic construction of N, O-CMCs and N, O-CMCs-MA enabled an effective balance among rapid photocrosslinking, structural stability, antibacterial performance, and hemostatic function, providing a promising strategy for the design of multifunctional chitosan-based wound dressings.

In this study, three chitosan quaternary phosphonium salts and three chitosan quaternary ammonium salts with varying spacer chain lengths were synthesized. Structure characterization of the obtained products was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. Additionally, the in vitro scavenging efficiency of these derivatives against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals, as well as their antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), were evaluated. The results indicated that the scavenging efficiency of the chitosan quaternary phosphonium salt at a concentration of 1.6 mg/mL ranged from 36.9 % to 48.7 % for DPPH free radicals and from 48.3 % to 66.3 % for superoxide free radicals, outperforming that of the chitosan quaternary ammonium salt with long alkyl chains. Furthermore, an increase in the length of the spacer alkyl chain was associated with enhanced antibacterial activities of the corresponding chitosan derivatives. At a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL, the synthesized chitosan derivatives demonstrated antibacterial rates exceeding 90 % against both E. coli and S. aureus. Notably, the CCK-8 assay confirmed that these derivatives are non-toxic to 293 T cells. Among the six derivatives, TPPBOC and DMDOC, characterized by longer spacer alkyl chains, demonstrated superior antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This research establishes a robust theoretical foundation for the development of more effective and safer antioxidants and antibacterial agents, thereby enriching the knowledge base in chitosan chemistry and functional materials, and paving new pathways for the innovation of novel antioxidant and antibacterial materials.

This study aimed to develop a vancomycin (VCM)-loaded chitosan nanoparticle (CS-NPs)/collagen (Col) composite for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Collagen was isolated as acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from the skin of Sphyrna lewini shark and combined with chitosan nanoparticles and vancomycin. Four formulations-Col, VCM-Col, Col/CS-NPs, and VCM-Col/CS-NPs-were prepared and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, and SEM to confirm incorporation and assess physicochemical properties. Biological activities were evaluated through antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic assays. The formulation exhibited a high drug entrapment efficiency of 93.5 % for VCM-loaded CS-NPs and 100 % for the VCM-Col/CS-NPs nanocomposite, indicating a strong drug-polymer interaction. Both formulations demonstrated sustained drug release in the in vitro release study conducted at pH 7.4. In vitro antidiabetic activity showed that VCM-Col/CS-NPs exhibited the strongest α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀: 274.7 ± 0.29 μg/mL), followed by VCM-Col (IC₅₀: 328.4 ± 0.22 μg/mL) and Col/CS-NPs (IC₅₀: 376.3 ± 0.40 μg/mL). Glucose uptake by yeast cells was also significantly enhanced, indicating improved glucose adsorption and transport. Antibacterial testing revealed inhibition zones of 19.3 ± 0.58 mm against E. coli and 21.9 ± 0.29 mm against S. aureus at a concentration of 10 μg/mL, with activity comparable to that of ciprofloxacin. Finally, in vivo studies using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat excision wound model demonstrated notable wound healing and closure after 17 days of treatment with VCM-Col/CS-NPs. These findings highlight VCM-Col/CS-NPs as a multifunctional biomaterial with potential application in diabetic foot ulcer management.

This study addresses the critical challenges faced by global aquatic industries such as overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable aquaculture practices. It focuses on developing effective solutions by synthesizing potent inhibitors against Vibrio parahaemolyticus of two strains namely: MTCC-451 (A) and Vp-S14 (B). Biginelli’s compounds (B1-4) were identified as promising inhibitors with confirmed antibacterial activity through in silico and in vitro studies. Then virtual screening through ADMET, best correlation with regard to QSAR studies, the docking analysis is used to determine, the ligand B1 would be more favorable comparable with others for conducting bacterial studies and DFT calculations show that the optimized structure of ligand B1 has the best FMO values, MEP values and appropriate electronic structural state. This research study is very helpful and matches for "Antibacterial analysis". A total of 99 Biginelli compounds were selected for virtual screening including 2D-QSAR, ADME/T, molecular docking, and DFT calculations. The virtual screened compounds were synthesized then for biological studies. The four highlighted compounds (B1-4) with favorable ADME properties and strong binding affinities compared to gentamicin in both ADME and docking analysis respectively. Further analysis via DFT provided structural insights and active site identification. In vitro assays against pathogenic Vp strains demonstrated significant bactericidal activity, with MIC values of 1.25 mg/mL (MTCC-451) and 1 mg/mL (Vp-S14).

This study presents the development of Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels composed of acrylic acid crosslinked with N,N '-methylenebis(acrylamide) and interpenetrated with Tara Gum, specifically designed for the sustained release of bacitracin. The combination of synthetic and natural polymers leverages the structural stability of synthetic hydrogels and the biocompatibility and bioactivity of Tara Gum, addressing the need for tailored drug delivery systems for infection control in wound care. The hypothesis was that the incorporation of Tara Gum enhances the structural integrity, swelling capacity, mechanical properties, and drug release kinetics of hydrogel. The hydrogels were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, swelling studies, and rheological evaluation, demonstrating Tara Gum-induced improvements in porosity, pH-responsive swelling, and mechanical stability. Drug release studies revealed that higher Tara Gum content accelerated bacitracin release, attributed to increased porosity and reduced matrix density. Antimicrobial assays against Staphylococcus aureus confirmed prolonged antibacterial efficacy, while biocompatibility tests demonstrated their safety for biomedical applications. This work highlights the potential of Tara Gum-based Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels to fill a critical gap in advanced wound care by offering a customizable platform for sustained drug delivery with enhanced mechanical and therapeutic performance. Future studies will focus on scaling production and preclinical validation to establish their clinical relevance.

Infections from multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB) have raised a worldwide concern, with projections indicating that fatalities from these infections could surpass those from cancer by 2050. This troubling trend is influenced by several factors, including the scarcity of new antibiotics to tackle challenging infections, the prohibitive costs of last-resort antibiotics, the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents in agriculture and aquaculture, and the over-prescription of antibiotics in community settings. One promising alternative treatment is the application of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against MDRB. Hydrogels can facilitate the delivery of these antimicrobials, enhancing their biocompatibility and bioavailability. The Peptide-Hydrogel Association (PHA) capitalizes on the distinct properties of both peptides and hydrogels, resulting in multifunctional systems suitable for various antibacterial purposes. Multiple strategies can be employed to develop a PHA, including peptide-based hydrogels, hydrogels infused with peptides, and hydrogels modified with peptide functionalities. The research examined in this review showcases the strong effectiveness of these systems against MDRB and underscores their potential in creating multifunctional and multi-responsive solutions for various infection scenarios. The high efficacy of PHAs represents a promising and innovative therapeutic strategy in combating infections caused by MDRB.

Since the innovation produces a significant output with minimal effort, the environmentally friendly method of metal oxide creation presents a viable alternative to the more labor-intensive and difficult-to-consume predecessors processes. This paper describes the sustainable creation of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPS) using feedstock from Allium sativum (Garlic). The synthesized TiO2 NPS is thoroughly characterized using novel approaches, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The images from XRD indicate the anatase condition of the TiO2 NPS. The FT-IR spectrum endorses the Ti–O vibratory patterns at 787 cm−1. The geometrical features of the synthesized TiO2 NPS have been demonstrated in the FE-SEM illustrations, revealing that agglomerate occurs in the particles that are synthesized owing to the interactions within the substances of the feedstock. The morphological evaluation indicated that the NPS exhibited a sphere-like morphology, exhibiting an average dimension between 18 and 24 nm. The antibacterial efficacy of TiO2 NPS was evaluated employing the established agar-well dissemination technique, revealing a greater zone of inhibition against S. epidermidis and S. aureus compared to E. coli and F. nucleatum. Additionally, the NPS demonstrated notable cellular damage towards the people breast carcinoma cell lines (HepG2), with an IC50 value of 54.66 µg/mL. The research investigated the photodecomposition efficacy of TiO2 NPS in an aqueous solution, concentrating on the MB dye, following direct light transmission at varying duration periods. The TiO2 NPS generated by creation exhibited significant photodecomposition efficiency, degrading 88

In this work, a novel class of sulfonic zwitterion-modified quaternary ammonium chitosan derivatives was prepared using N, N, N-trimethyl chitosan (TMCI) as the structural backbone. To verify the successful synthesis, the resulting compounds were comprehensively analyzed in terms of their molecular configurations, thermal behavior, and crystalline properties. Characterization techniques included Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial performance was comprehensively evaluated through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and inhibition rate assessments against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, revealing enhanced antibacterial activity following modification. Antioxidant properties were examined through DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, all of which confirmed strong free radical elimination. Furthermore, cytocompatibility tests verified excellent biocompatibility, underscoring their safety for biomedical applications. Collectively, these results highlight the critical role of structural modification in regulating the bioactivity of chitosan-based systems. The multifunctional properties of these derivatives-including potent antimicrobial activity, effective oxidative stress mitigation, and favorable biocompatibility-provide a strong foundation for their potential use in biomedical materials, smart packaging, and preservation technologies.