A Review on the Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Microspheres: Milestones Achieved and Miles to Go

Chitosan is a natural biodegradable polymer that is recovered from marine shell wastes. It has been widely employed in anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial applications due to its outstanding qualities, including biological compatibility, muco-adhesivity, hemocompatibility, and biodegradability. The contributions of this polymer have established it with respect to biomedical applications. The distinct morphologies of chitosan, such as in nanoparticulate and microparticulate for MS and as derivatives and composites have extended its visages even beyond biomedicine. This review specifically summarizes the biomedical highlights of chitosan-based MS. Special attention has been focused on the antimicrobial accomplishments of chitosan-based MS. The impact of chitosan MS against bacteria, fungi and viruses has been reviewed. The gaps in its usage for antimicrobial investigations have been addressed. The lack of significant contribution from chitosan MS towards antifungal and antiviral applications has been explicitly highlighted. Future recommendations and the scope for expansion have been suggested.