N-Reacetylated Oligochitosan: pH Dependence of Self-Assembly Properties and Antibacterial Activity

摘要

Oligochitosan (short chain chitosan) is more soluble in acidic aqueous media than a high molecular weight (MW) chitosan, but its antimicrobial activity decreases with increase in degree of acetylation (DA) and increase in pH above a critical pH threshold point. In the present study, oligochitosans varying in MW were additionally N-acetylated and their self-assembly properties and antibacterial activity toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were investigated in a wide pH range as a function of MIN' and DA. Light scattering studies reveals that reacetyleted oligochitosan with M-w = 8 when their 4,, is above 25 kDa. Considering the influence of DA and MW, the antibacterial activity of reacetylated oligochitosans is maximal in the short interval of DA 16-28 at pH 7.4. These results are promising for expanding practical application of oligochitosan in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food compositions.