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Low molecular weight quaternised chitosan (I): synthesis and characterisation
D Snyman1, T Govender, A F Kotzé
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Die Pharmazie
|November 12, 2003
Summary
Researchers synthesized N-trimethyl chitosan chloride and N-triethyl chitosan chloride to improve drug delivery. Characterization of these quaternized chitosan polymers will guide future absorption enhancer and toxicity studies.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Chitosan solubility is limited, hindering its use in drug delivery.
- Quaternized chitosan derivatives (N-trimethyl chitosan chloride, N-triethyl chitosan chloride) offer improved solubility.
- Understanding structure-property relationships is crucial for optimizing chitosan-based drug delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize various quaternized chitosan polymers with controlled molecular weights.
- To characterize these polymers, focusing on degree of quaternization, molecular weight, and viscosity.
- To investigate the relationship between polymer characteristics and their potential as absorption enhancers for large hydrophilic compounds.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of N-trimethyl chitosan chloride and N-triethyl chitosan chloride from low and medium molecular weight chitosan.
- Comprehensive characterization of synthesized polymers using techniques to determine degree of quaternization, molecular weight, and viscosity.
- Exploration of structure-property correlations.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized a range of quaternized chitosan derivatives.
- Established methods for characterizing key polymer properties.
- Identified potential relationships between quaternization degree, molecular weight, viscosity, and polymer behavior.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized quaternized chitosan polymers show promise for enhanced drug transport.
- Further studies are needed to correlate specific polymer properties with absorption enhancement and toxicity profiles.
- This work lays the foundation for developing novel chitosan-based carriers for peptide and protein drugs.
