Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1948642 | Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects | 2007 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
The homogeneous low molecular weight chitosans (LMWC) of molecular weight 9.5-8.5 kDa, obtained by pronase catalyzed non-specific depolymerization (at pH 3.5, 37 °C) of chitosan showed lyses of Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli more efficiently (100%) than native chitosan (< 50%). IR and 1H-NMR data showed decrease in the degree of acetylation (14-19%) in LMWC compared to native chitosan (â¼Â 26%). Minimum inhibitory concentration of LMWC towards 106 CFU mlâ 1 of B. cereus was 0.01% (w/v) compared to 0.03% for 104 CFU mlâ 1 of E. coli. SEM revealed pore formation as well as permeabilization of the bacterial cells, as also evidenced by increased carbohydrate and protein contents as well as the cytoplasmic enzymes in the cell-free supernatants. N-terminal sequence analyses of the released proteins revealed them to be cytoplasmic/membrane proteins. Upon GLC, the supernatant showed characteristic fatty acid profiles in E. coli, thus subscribing to detachment of lipopolysaccharides into the medium, whereas that of B. cereus indicated release of surface lipids. The mechanism for the observed bactericidal activity of LMWC towards both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria has been discussed.
Keywords
LPSCFUPronaseGPCMICHPSECGlcMinimum inhibitory concentrationdegree of acetylationdegree of polymerizationStructureBactericidal activityLipopolysaccharidesSEMMechanismScanning electron microscopycolony forming unitsMolecular weighthigh performance size exclusion chromatographyGel permeation chromatographygas–liquid chromatographylow molecular weight chitosan
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Biochemistry
Authors
Acharya B. Vishu Kumar, Mandyam C. Varadaraj, Lalitha R. Gowda, Rudrapatnam N. Tharanathan,