Determination of the Mark-Houwink equation for chitosans with different degrees of deacetylation

Prevention of postoperative adhesions by biodegradable cryogels from pectin and chitosan polysaccharides

The main complication that may arise after surgery is the formation of adhesions. The current trend in the prevention of postoperative adhesions is the application of anti-adhesive barrier materials for the separation of wound tissue during the critical period of mesothelial repair and healing. In this work, cryogels based on pectin and chitosan were obtained by the ionic cryotropic gelation method. It was found that the Heracleum L. pectin cryogels are more elastic (73 ± 6 kPa) than the apple pectin cryogels (29 ± 11 kPa). The addition of chitosan with different physical and chemical characteristics did not significantly affect the elasticity of pectin–chitosan cryogels. The greatest swelling ability was achieved during in vivo incubation of Heracleum L. pectin cryogels and Heracleum L. pectin with reacetylated chitosan cryogels (17.1 ± 1.6 and 14.2 ± 2.0 g/g, respectively). It was found that the complete biodegradation of apple pectin cryogels occurred within 24 h of incubation in the rat abdominal cavity. Heracleum L. pectin cryogels were encapsulated in a fibrous capsule and detected in the abdominal cavity after 168 h. Maximum anti-adhesion effect was observed through the use of apple pectin cryogels (0 ± 0.5 score). Significant anti-adhesive effect was also observed through the use of apple pectin–reacetylated chitosan cryogels (1 ± 0.5 score). Due to the high anti-adhesive activity, such cryogels can be recommended for the development of a new barrier material for use in surgery. The potential anti-adhesive mechanism of apple pectin cryogels which may be attributed to a combination of barrier function and bioactivity of cryogels components was discussed.

Effect of solution plasma process with bubbling gas on physicochemical properties of chitosan

In the present work, solution plasma process (SPP) with bubbling gas was used to prepare oligochitosan. The effect of SPP irradiation with bubbling gas on the degradation of chitosan was evaluated by the intrinsic viscosity reduction rate and the degradation kinetic. The formation of OH radical was studied. Changes of the physicochemical properties of chitosan were measured by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as ultraviolet-visible, Fourier-transform infrared, and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results indicated an obvious decrease in the intrinsic viscosity reduction rate after SPP irradiation with bubbling gas, and that the rate with bubbling was higher than that without. The main chemical structure of chitosan remained intact after irradiation, but changes in the morphology, crystallinity, and thermal stability of oligochitosan were observed. In particular, the crystallinity and thermal stability tended to decrease. The present study indicated that SPP can be effectively used for the degradation of chitosan.

In situ coupling of chitosan onto polypropylene foils by an Atmospheric Pressure Air Glow Discharge with a liquid cathode

Atmospheric air plasma treatment of chitosan solutions leads to degradation of chitosan molecules by OH radicals and is accompanied by a predominant cleavage of glycosidic linkages and by a decrease of the molecular weight. The degradation proceeds via first order kinetics with the rate constant of (5.73±0.22)×10(-6)s(-1) and the energetic yield of chitosan bond scission of (2.4±0.2)×10(-8)mol/J. Products of degradation together with intact chitosan molecules adsorb and form coatings on polypropylene foils immersed into the solution that is being plasma treated. The plasma treatment results in strong binding of chitosan to polypropylene due to the formation of covalent bonds between the activated polymer surface and chitosan molecules. Plasma-driven crosslinking is responsible for the accumulation of compressive stress which leads to the development of buckling instabilities in the chitosan coatings.

Synthesis of N, N-dimethyl N-ethyl Chitosan as a Carrier for Oral Delivery of Peptide Drugs

N, N-dimethyl N-ethyl chitosan (DMEC), a quanternized derivative of chitosan was synthesized based on a modified two-step method via a 22 factorial design to optimize the preparative conditions. The degree of deacetylation of the starting chitosan was determined by FTIR and NMR methods and was 95%. In the first step of the synthesis, mono-ethyl chitosan was prepared by introducing an ethyl group onto the amine group of chitosan via a Schiff base and in the next step methyl iodide was added to produce DMEC which was water soluble in a pH range of 4-8. The DMEC polymers with different degrees of quaternization were obtained and fully characterized using FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopic methods. Based on 1H-NMR calculations, the degree of quaternization was 52% by optimizing the two-step process.

Optimized Synthesis and Characterization of N-Triethyl Chitosan

Chitosan exhibits poor solubility at pH values above 6 which prevents its enhancing effects at drugs absorption of sites. In the present work, N-triethylated chitosan (TEC) was prepared based on a modified one-step process via a 22 factorial design to optimize the preparative conditions. TEC polymer with different degree of quaternization for pharmacological and pharmaceutical experiments was achieved. Ethyl iodide and sodium hydroxide concentrations were chosen as independent variables. The degree of deacetylation of the starting chitosan was predetermined by pH-metric titration, infrared, and NMR methods. TEC chloride was fully characterized using FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopies. Based on NMR calculations, a high degree of quaternization was achieved through the optimized one-step process. These highly N-triethylated chitosan chlorides were soluble in water at room temperature.

N,N-Diethyl N-Methyl Chitosan as an Enhancing Agent for Colon Drug Delivery

Chitosan exhibits poor solubility above pH 6 which prevents absorption at treatment sites in the colon. pH titrations and infrared methods were used to determine the degree of deacetylation of the starting chitosan. In the present work, N,N-diethyl N-methyl chitosan (DEMC) was synthesized based on a modified two-step process via a 22 factorial design to optimize the preparative conditions. DEMC chloride was characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. For pharmacological and pharmaceutical applications, DEMC needs to have specific degrees of quaternization. Based on the 1H NMR data, a high degree of quaternization was achieved by the two-step process. The N-diethyl methyl chitosan chlorides were completely soluble in water at room temperature. Sodium fluorescein and brilliant blue were used as model reagents for in vitro colonic absorption studies. These studies show a significant increase in the absorption of sodium fluorescein and brilliant blue in the presence of DEMC in comparison with normal chitosan. DEMC with positive charge is able to interact with tight junctions of colon epithelial cells and hence increased the permeability of sodium fluorescein and brilliant blue across the tight junctions. These investigations demonstrated that the DEMC derivative of chitosan could have a significant effect on colonic drug absorption.

Effects of the Degree of Deacetylation on the Physicochemical Properties and Schwann Cell Affinity of Chitosan Films

Chitosan is a potential material for the preparation of nerve repair conduits. In order to find a better chitosan for the application in peripheral nerve regeneration, the effects of the degree of deacetylation (DD) on the physicochemical properties and Schwann cell affinity of chitosan films have been evaluated. Six kinds of chitosan samples with similar molecular weight, but various DD in a range from 70.1 to 95.6% were prepared from one stock chitosan material and fabricated into films. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that there were more crystalline regions in the higher DD chitosan films. Swelling and mechanical property measurements revealed that the swelling index of chitosan films decreased and their elastic modulus and tensile strength increased with the increase in DD. The adsorption amount of fibronectin and laminin on chitosan films was measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Culture of adult rat Schwann cells on the films showed that the chitosan films with higher DD provided better substrata for Schwann cell spreading and proliferation. In conclusion, DD of chitosan plays an important role in their physicochemical properties and affinity with Schwann cells. The results suggest that chitosan with a DD higher than 90% is considered as a promising material for application in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Flocculation of cyanobacterial cells using coal fly ash modified chitosan

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increasingly occurred worldwide and pose serious threats to water environment safety. In this study, a compound flocculant (CFAL-Chitosan) was developed for HABs mitigation where chitosan was modified by coal fly ash leachate (CFAL). When using optimized dosage of CFAL-Chitosan flocculant, the zeta potential of Microcystis aeruginosa (M.A.) flocs stayed close to zero and algal removal efficiency plateaued over 90% in a wide dosage range from 3 to 6 mg L(-1). For chitosan without CFAL, removal efficiency peaked at 3 mg L(-1) with a maximum removal efficiency of 81%, which quickly decreased as the dosage increased (>3 mg L(-1)) due to the fast reversal of zeta potential. This indicated that CFAL-Chitosan could maintain a better removal efficiency over a wide dosage range as a result of improved charge neutralization compared with the chitosan only treatment. The flocs of CFAL-Chitosan were larger and denser than produced in the presence of chitosan without CFAL. However, excessive CFAL beyond the optimized dose inhibited M.A. removal due to hydrolysis and declining molecular weight of chitosan that weakened the bridging-netting properties, where surface charge reversal happened within a narrow dosage range and the removal-dosage curve became parabolic. The pH and metal residuals that were assumed to pose a threat to the aquatic environment were not significantly affected by adding optimized dosage of CFAL-Chitosan. The study provides a HABs control method using a cheap material of CFA. Further studies are needed to check the potential influence of leachable metals and persistent organic pollutants in CFA under a wide range of environmental condition.

Gel-Filtration Chromatography

Gel-filtration chromatography is a versatile method that permits the effective separation of biological molecules in high yield. This article describes the basis of the method, the selection of suitable operating conditions, and contrasts typical matrix types. Applications of the technique are described, with references to the scientific literature.

A review on chitosan-based flocculants and their applications in water treatment

In recent years, the use of chitosan and its derivatives as flocculants in water treatment has received considerable attention due to their many advantages, including their widespread availability, environmental friendliness, biodegradability, and prominent structural features. However, it is a significant strategy for selection and design of the high-performance materials on the basis of their structure-activity relationships. Here we describe several of the chemical modification methods commonly used to prepare chitosan-based flocculants. These methods allow convenient control and adjustment of the structures of the obtained materials to meet the different practical requirements. The influence of structural elements of the chitosan-based flocculants on their flocculation properties are emphasized in this review by examining different flocculation mechanisms and their applications in the treatment of various wastewaters containing different pollutants (insoluble suspended colloids but also dissolved matters). Above all, the chitosan-based flocculants with proper structures by precise structure control bear great application potentials in water treatment.

RTG-loaded nanomicelles (CS–VES–NAC) for oral anti-HIV drug delivery

An acetylcysteine–chitosan–vitamin E succinate copolymer (CVN) was synthesized from chitosan (CS), vitamin E succinate (VES) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) as self-assembled nanomicelles for multifunctional delivery of anti-HIV drug Raltegravir (RTG).

Comparison of antimicrobial activities of newly obtained low molecular weight scorpion chitosan and medium molecular weight commercial chitosan

In this study the antimicrobial activity of low molecular weight (3.22 kDa) chitosan, obtained for the first time from a species belonging to the Scorpiones, was screened against nine pathogenic microorganisms (seven bacteria and two yeasts) and compared with that of medium molecular weight commercial chitosan (MMWCC). It was observed that the antimicrobial activity of the low molecular weight scorpion chitosan (LMWSC) was specific to bacterial species in general rather than gram-negative or gram-positive bacterial groups. It was also determined that LMWSC had a stronger inhibitory effect than the MMWCC, particularly on the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and the yeast Candida albicans, which are important pathogens for public health. In addition, it was recorded that the MMWCC had a greater inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis than LMWSC. According to the results obtained by the disc diffusion method, the antibacterial activity of both LMWSC and MMWCC against B. subtilis and Salmonella enteritidis was higher than the widely used antibiotic Gentamicin (CN, 10 μg/disc).

Synergistic degradation of chitosan by impinging stream and jet cavitation

Chitosan degradation was investigated using a combination of jet cavitation and impinging stream. Different operating parameters such as the initial concentration (1-5 g L(-1)), initial pH (3.2-4.8), solution temperature (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70°C), inlet pressure (0.1-0.45 MPa), and treatment time (0-120 min) were optimized to achieve the maximum degradation of chitosan. After the optimization of jet cavitation parameters, chitosan degradation was carried out using venturi tubes of different structures (the fluidic generator). The efficiency of the jet cavitation degradation was improved significantly by combining with impinging stream. The structures of the degradation products were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. This study has conclusively established that a combination of jet cavitation and impinging stream can be effectively used for the complete degradation of chitosan.

Enzymolysis of chitosan by papain and its kinetics

Low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) was obtained by the enzymolysis of chitosan by papain. Enzymolysis conditions (initial chitosan concentration, temperature, pH and ratio of papain to chitosan) were optimized by conducting experiments at three different levels using the response surface methodology (RSM) to obtain high soluble reducing sugars (SRSs) concentrations. Meanwhile, the influence of chitosan substrate concentration on the activity of papain was assessed in the experiments. The enzymolysis process was analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and the experiment data were found to be more consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In addition, the kinetic behavior of the enzymolysis was also investigated by using Haldane model, and chitosan exhibited substrate inhibition. It was clear that the Haldane kinetic model adequately described the dynamic behavior of the chitosan enzymolysis by papain. When the initial chitosan concentration was above 8.0g/L, the papain was overloaded and exhibited significant inhibition.

Synergetic Effects of Pulsed Electric Field and Ozone Treatments on the Degradation of High Molecular Weight Chitosan

A synergetic method integrating both pulsed electric field (PEF) and ozone treatment was developed as a novel approach to investigate the degradation of high molecular weight chitosan (Mw=4.5×105 Da). A device integrating both components was designed and assembled for the experiments. Results showed that the highest degradation percentage of chitosan was achieved with PEF/ozone co-treatment generated at experimental conditions of 1.2 L/min of ozone flow rate, 100 mL/min of 0.6% (w/v) chitosan solution flow rate, and 26.7 kV/cm of PEF intensity. The degradation percentage after 60 min PEF treatment was 24.89%, whereas it was improved to 94.89% by ozone treatment for 60 min. Combining the two treatments resulted in enhanced degradation percentage of 99.56%, with low molecular weights sample (Mw<2,500 Da) obtained. FTIR analysis demonstrated that the amide structure of the degradation products was minimally affected by the co-treatment. XRD pattern indicated that the crystallinity of the degradation products decreased. In addition, it could complete dissolve in water after 60 min PEF/ozone co-treatment. These results demonstrated the synergetic PEF/ozone co-treatment as an effective method for degradation of high molecular weight chitosan.

Enzyme-responsive multifunctional surfaces for controlled uptake/release of (bio)molecules

The current trend in the development of biomaterials is towards bioactive and biodegradable systems. In particular, enzyme-responsive structures are useful tools to realize biodegradable surfaces for the controlled delivery of biomolecules/drugs through a triggered surface erosion process. Up to now, enzyme-responsive structures have been designed by covalent linkage between synthetic polymers and biodegradable functionalities that are responsive to chemical and biological cues (i.e. proteases or pH) [1-4]. Here, we present a novel approach to achieve enzyme-responsive surface-attached networks by exploiting the non-covalent interaction between streptavidin and biotin. The functional component of this three-dimensional (3D) structure is a layer of biotinylated peptides that are degraded by the action of specific proteases. The system was stable under typical physiological conditions; however, it was efficiently degraded upon enzyme exposure. Further, the controlled release of biomolecules and drugs--previously entrapped into the surface-attached network--was demonstrated to occur as a consequence of the enzymatic cleavage. This versatile approach does not require complex chemical procedures. Interestingly, it can be easily adapted to different enzyme-peptide partners and therefore is very attractive for tissue replacement, drug delivery and biosensing.

Enzymatically cross-linked gelatin/chitosan hydrogels: tuning gel properties and cellular response

This work investigates the effect of combining physical and chemical gelation processes in a biopolymer blend: chitosan and tilapia fish gelatin. Chemical (C) gels are obtained by cross-linking with the microbial enzyme transglutaminase at 37 °C. Hybrid physical-co-chemical (PC) gels are cross-linked at 21 °C, below gelatin gelation temperature. These protocols provide two microenvironments for the gelation process: in C gels, both gelatin and chitosan are present as single strands; in PC gels, cross-linking proceeds within a transient physical gel of gelatin, filled by chitosan strands. The chitosan/gelatin chemical networks generated in PC gels show a consistently higher shear modulus than pure C gels; they are also less turbid than their C gels counterparts, suggesting a more homogeneous network. Finally, chitosan enhances the gels' shear modulus in all gels. Proliferation assays show that MC3T3 cells proliferate in these mixed, hybrid gels and better so on PC gels than in C mixed gels.

Chitosans for delivery of nucleic acids

Alternatives to efficient viral vectors in gene therapy are desired because of their poor safety profiles. Chitosan is a promising non-viral nucleotide delivery vector because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity and ease of manufacturing. Since the transfection efficiency of chitosan polyplexes is relatively low compared to viral counterparts, there is an impetus to gain a better understanding of the structure-performance relationship. Recent progress in preparation and characterisation has enabled coupling analysis of chitosans structural parameters that has led to increased TE by tailoring of chitosan's structure. In this review, we summarize the recent advances that have lead to a more rational design of chitosan polyplexes. We present an integrated review of all major areas of chitosan-based transfection, including preparation, chitosan and polyplexes physicochemical characterisation, in vitro and in vivo assessment. In each, we present the obstacles to efficient transfection and the strategies adopted over time to surmount these impediments.

Chitosan as a pore former in coated beads for colon specific drug delivery of 5-ASA

A multiparticulate product for colon-specific delivery of a small molecule drug has been developed and characterized. Microcrystalline cellulose core beads containing 5-aminosalicylic acid produced by extrusion-spheronization were coated with chitosan and Aquacoat(®) ECD mixtures according to a factorial design. Coated beads were characterized in terms of drug release, shape, and friability. The optimum formulation was enteric coated and exposed to media simulating conditions in the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Release studies in simulated intestinal fluid revealed that the drug release rate from the coated beads, which were spherical and rugged, depended on the level of chitosan in the coat and the coat thickness. Enlarged pores observed on the surface of the coated beads exposed to the medium containing rat cecal and colonic enzymes are believed to have caused a significant enhancement of the drug release rate compared to the control exposed only to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The release mechanisms involved polymer relaxation and dissolved drug diffusion for simulated intestinal fluid and simulated colonic fluid, respectively. From the facilitated drug release in a colonic environment and the inhibition of drug release under gastric and intestinal conditions, it can be concluded that this multiparticulate system demonstrates the potential for colon-specific drug delivery.