Characterization and potential applications of gamma irradiated chitosan and its blends with poly(vinyl alcohol)

Int J Biol Macromol. 2014 Apr:65:81-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.01.015. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Abstract

Naturally available chitosan (CHI), of high molecular weight, results in reduced efficiency of these polymers for antibacterial activity. In this regard, irradiation is a widely used method for achieving reduction in molecular weight of polymers, which may improve some of its characteristics. Chitosan was extracted from crab shells and degraded by gamma radiations. Effect of radiation dose on chitosan was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the irradiated chitosan was blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and crosslinked with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) into membranes. The membranes were found to be smooth, transparent and macroporous in structure, exhibiting high tensile strength (TS: 27-47 MPa) and elongation at break (EB: 292.6-407.3%). The effect of molecular weight of chitosan and chitosan blends on antibacterial activity was determined. Irradiated low molecular weight chitosan and membranes showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity; Chitosan; Molecular weight; Radiations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacillus subtilis / drug effects
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Chitosan / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Gamma Rays*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mechanical Phenomena
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Molecular Weight
  • Permeability
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / chemistry*
  • Silanes / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Silanes
  • Water
  • tetraethoxysilane
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol
  • Chitosan