N-hexanoyl, N-octanoyl and N-decanoyl chitosans: Binding affinity, cell uptake, and transfection

► We synthesized three novel short chain fatty acid coupled chitosan derivatives. ► We studied the DNA binding and protecting capacity of these chitosan derivatives. ► These polymers showed 15-25-fold higher gene transfection efficiency than chitosan. ► Transfection efficiency of these polymers was dependent on the fatty acid moiety. ► These chitosan derivatives can be used as novel non-viral gene delivery vector.