Antibacterial activity of chitosan against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of chitosan on growth and production of haemolysin by Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated as well as the effects of temperature, pH, salts and irradiation on the antibacterial activity of chitosan. It was found that chitosan affected growth and haemolysin production of A. hydrophila in varying degrees compared to the control. Growth and haemolysin production were clearly suppressed at 0.04% of chitosan. Suppression was more effective at pH 6.0 than at pH 7.0. The bactericidal effects of chitosan increased with increasing temperature and decreasing pH. Divalent cations at concentrations of 10 and 25 mM reduced the antibacterial activity of chitosan, in the order of Ba2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+. Sodium ions at concentrations of 10 and 25 mM also reduced chitosan's activity. Irradiation of chitosan at 150 kGy under dry condition was effective in slightly increasing its activity.