Bactericidal Chitosan Derivatives and Their Superabsorbent Blends with ĸ-Carrageenan

Area of Science:

• Biopolymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Antimicrobial Agents

Background:

• Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer with broad applications, particularly in cosmetics and wound care.
• Its inherent biological activity, including antibacterial effects, can be significantly enhanced through chemical modification.
• Diverse literature reports highlight the potential of chitosan, yet improvements in its efficacy are actively sought.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel chitosan-based Schiff bases with improved antimicrobial properties.
• To create stable hydrogel formulations for potential use in cosmetic and dermatological applications.
• To investigate the impact of chemical modifications on chitosan's solubility and drug delivery capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of chitosan-based Schiff bases (dCsSB-SFD, dCsSB-PCA) using specific aldehydes (SFD, PCA).
• Grafting chitosan derivatives with caproyl chains to form blends with κ-carrageenan.
• Incorporation of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) chains to enhance polymer solubility.

Main Results:

• Synthesized chitosan derivatives exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to unmodified chitosan.
• Stable hydrogels with high swelling coefficients were successfully prepared from chitosan derivatives and κ-carrageenan.
• Covalently bonded PCL chains improved the solubility of the synthesized polymers in organic solvents.

Conclusions:

• The novel Schiff base-containing polymers possess significant hydrogel and antimicrobial properties.
• These materials show promise for controlled release of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.
• Potential applications include advanced cosmetic products and innovative wound dressing formulations.