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Formation and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Polyelectrolyte Complex Containing Antifungal Phenylpropanoids
Andrés F Olea1, Héctor Carrasco1, Franco Santana2
1Grupo QBAB, Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, El Llano Subercaseaux 2801, San Miguel, Santiago 8910060, Chile.
Polymers
|December 17, 2024
Summary
Novel chitosan-based polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) efficiently encapsulate nitroeugenol derivatives. Encapsulation efficiency varied by compound structure, but antifungal activity remained unchanged post-encapsulation, highlighting the need for deeper understanding of delivery kinetics.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer with cationic properties.
- Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) offer potential for encapsulating active compounds.
- Nitroeugenol derivatives possess bioactive properties but require effective delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize novel chitosan-based PECs.
- To encapsulate two nitroeugenol derivatives (compounds 3 and 4) within these PECs.
- To evaluate the encapsulation efficiency and antifungal activity of the resulting systems.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of PECs using chitosan and poly(maleic anhydride-alt-tetradecene) (PMA-14).
- Encapsulation of nitroeugenol derivatives (compounds 3 and 4).
- Characterization using fluorescence probing, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and molecular dynamics simulations.
- Antifungal assays against *Botritys cinerea*.
Main Results:
- Successful formation of chitosan/PMA-14 PECs and efficient encapsulation of compounds 3 and 4.
- Encapsulation efficiency was higher for compound 3 (32.18%) than for compound 4 (20.36%).
- Antifungal activity against *Botritys cinerea* was not significantly affected by encapsulation.
- Molecular dynamics suggested stabilization effects during PEC formation due to specific interactions.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan-based PECs are effective for encapsulating nitroeugenol derivatives.
- The chemical structure of the active compound influences encapsulation efficiency.
- Encapsulation did not enhance the observed antifungal activity, suggesting complex release mechanisms.
- Further research is needed to optimize PEC-based delivery systems for bioactive compounds.
