Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

An Antimicrobial Fabric Using Nano-Herbal Encapsulation of Essential Oils
Published on: April 7, 2023
Enhancing Antimicrobial Efficacy: The Role of Metal Complexation in Chitosan-Based Antimicrobial Agents
Muhanad Alhujaily1, Alaa Shafie2, Mohammed Sanad Alhussaini3
1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Chitosan (CTS) is widely recognized for its intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Recent advancements demonstrate that the antimicrobial efficacy of CTS can be significantly enhanced through complexation with various metals such as Cu(II), Zn(II), Ag(I), Co(II), Ni(II), and many other metals. This chelation not only improves the physicochemical stability and solubility of the complexes but also promotes synergistic antimicrobial effects by facilitating controlled release of bioactive metal ions. These metal ions exert bactericidal effects through mechanisms such as generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), enzyme inactivation, and disruption of microbial metabolism. Consequently, CTS-metal complexes demonstrate superior antibacterial activity compared to pristine CTS or metal ions alone. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of CTS-metal complexes focusing on their antimicrobial potential and enhanced activity upon complexation. Understanding the relationship between CTS and metal ions offers valuable insights into designing potent antimicrobial agents that can effectively address the growing challenge of AMR.
Related Concept Videos
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Microbial Corrosion
Formation of Complex Ions
