The term "nanoparticles and their application" is a broad implication and discussion point for understanding by many experts. But, the question arises that do we have to restrict ourselves to the field of nanomaterials, which consists of building nano-metric structures made up of a limited number of atoms? Nanoparticle based miniaturized world which is largely dominated by application in drug delivery and pharmaceuticals and in which the dimensions of its patent based devices are smaller than a hundredth of a nanometer? How do we approach concepts which at first glance seem to be very different, i.e. the link between volume and surface of the different aggregates, the functionality of macromolecules and the complexity brought about by our biomedical system? In fact, all different scientific disciplines, including every single sector (such as nanomaterials, micro and nano-machines, micro and nano-electronics), have their own paradigm. This is why innovations and industrial developments are profoundly different. However, these fields are strongly interlinked. It is therefore necessary to make our studies more interdisciplinary in order to enable us to understand the nanoparticles based biomedical advantage.Taking this idea as a basis for our work, we would like to introduce chitosan nanoparticles in the broadest scale possible by showing their optical/chemical characterization with their applicability. We will cover different method of preparation and applications in the chapters to come. This is not a straight textbook; those are easily accessible in libraries or on the Internet. The following chapters will both provoke reflection and provide the reader with a better understanding of the subject. This is a guided tour of the different form of chitosan nanoparticles which we hope will arouse the reader's curiosity so that they will engage more profoundly with the subject. In many different fields we can observe a tidal wave of new products which are directly linked to nano-sciences and their specific form as chitosan nanoparticles. Therefore, the basic ideas will be introduced and a brief outline will be given in Chapter 1. Yet, it remains difficult to understand how so many complex domains work together. A basic introduction about synthesis and optimization of chitosan nanoparticles for their potential applications in nano-medicine and biomedical engineering will be given in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3 the synthesis of the tools needed to explore the nano-world will be explained as reactions proceed as micro-droplets reactions. Ionic gelation methods for synthesis in chitosan nanoparticles are covered in Chapter 4, where a new thiolated method has been developed. Chapter 5 will introduce the preparation of chitosan nanoparticles by TPP ionic gelation combined with spray drying, and the antibacterial activity of chitosan nanoparticles and a chitosan nanoparticle-amoxicillin complex.Chapter 6, shows the understanding the mechanism of ionic gelation for synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles using qualitative techniques. In Chapter 7 we will deal with the a qualitative review on the impact of chitosan composites and chitosan nanoparticle composites on various drug delivery systems. In chapter 8 and 9, we have discussed the modified chitosan moieties. N, N, N- Trimethyl has been used for modifying chitosan and in chapter 9, Ganciclovir loaded chitosan nanoparticles has been used for drug delivery applications. In chapter 10, green synthesis of copper-chitosan nanoparticles has been explained for its antibacterial activity. In last chapter 11, nanoparticles based on chitosan have been developed as carriers for the combined herbicides imazapic and imazapyr. A large part of our discussion takes place in a virtual world, which in turn enables us to understand the nanoworld. Our future depends on how we use new discoveries and what risks they bring upon humanity and our natural environment. The ethical implications of this must therefore be discussed.Chapters 12-14 bring together research studies and papers, which illustrate some of the developments and applications in the field of chitosan nanoparticles and also give a way forward for future research and application.
About the Author: Dr. Abhishek Gupta is currently a National Post-Doctoral Fellow (NPDF) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He has completed their Doctoral Degree (Ph.D) from School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi HP India. He obtained his B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from MJP R University Bareilly India and M.Sc. Biotechnology from School of Biotechnology, Devi Ahilya University, Indore India. His recent research is focused on carbon nanoparticles (C-dots) for toxic metal and biomolecule sensing system. He has more than 15 publications in reputed international journal (Nano Letter, Chem Comm, JPC Letter, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Nature Scientific Reports and etc.) with average Impact factor > 5.50.