Synthesis and characterization of chitosan derivatives with dual-antibacterial functional groups

With the aim to discover chitosan derivatives with enhanced antibacterial activity and good water solubility compared with natural chitosan, a novel O-quaternary ammonium N-acyl thiourea chitosan (OQCATUCS) bearing double antibacterial groups with different degrees of substitution has been synthesized. The derivative was characterized by FTIR, 13C NMR, elemental analysis, XRD, TGA and zeta potential analysis. Water solubility was also investigated. The antimicrobial activities of chitosan and its derivatives were investigated by assessing the mortality rates of Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. The order of antibacterial activities was O-quaternary ammonium N-acyl thiourea chitosan (OQCATUCS) > O-quaternary ammonium chitosan (OQCS) > chitosan (CS). The zeta potential and antibacterial results indicated that the introduced quaternary ammonium and thiourea groups increased the positive charge of chitosan derivative, thereby enhanced its antibacterial activity. The mechanism of chitosan derivatives against E. coli and S. aureus was evaluated via analyzing integrity of cell membranes and transmission electron microscopy data. These results demonstrated that OQCATUCS killed the bacteria via disrupting the cell membrane.