Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of chitosan and its quaternized derivative on E. coli and S. aureus growth
Rev. bras. farmacogn
;
26(1): 122-127, Jan.-Feb. 2016. graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-772640
ABSTRACT
Abstract Chitosan is largely known for its activity against a wide range of microorganisms, in which the most acceptable antimicrobial mechanism is found to include the presence of charged groups in the polymer backbone and their ionic interactions with bacteria wall constituents. This interaction suggests the occurrence of a hydrolysis of the peptidoglycans in the microorganism wall, provoking the leakage of intracellular electrolytes, leading the microorganism to death. The charges present in chitosan chains are generated by protonation of amino groups when in acid medium or they may be introduced via structural modification. This latter can be achieved by a methylation reaction resulting in a quaternized derivative with a higher polymeric charge density. Since the charges in this derivative are permanents, it is expected a most efficient antimicrobial activity. Hence, in the present study, commercial chitosan underwent quaternization processes and both (mother polymer and derivative) were evaluated, in gel form, against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), as model bacteria. The results, as acquired from turbidity measurements, differ between materials with an expressive reduction on the Gram-positive microorganism (S. aureus) growth, while E. coli (Gram-negative) strain was less sensitive to both polymers. Additionally, the antibacterial effectiveness of chitosan was strongly dependent on the concentration, what is discussed in terms of spatial polymer conformation.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. bras. farmacogn
Journal subject:
Pharmacy
Year:
2016
Type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Embrapa Instrumentação/BR
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