Synthesis of O,O′-dipalmitoyl chitosan and its amphiphilic properties and capability of cholesterol absorption

The regioselective synthesis of an amphiphilic chitosan derivative, O,O′-dipalmitoyl chitosan (DPCT) was achieved by the selective protection of amino groups in MeSO3H. The amphiphilic behavior and miscibility with cholesterol of DPCT were studied through Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The condensed monolayer formed at water-air interface had a collapse pressure of 40 mN m−1 and could be transferred onto various substrates by Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Furthermore, this amphiphilic chitosan with free amino groups was cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. The adsorption behavior of the cross-linked amphiphilic chitosan to cholesterol was also studied. The results showed that this cross-linked amphiphilic chitosan could effectively adsorb cholesterol both in polar and in non-polar solvents.