Study on antimicrobial activity of chitosan water soluble derivatives

  Objective   To investig ate the antimicrobial activ ity of chitosans water soluble derivatives such as carboxymethyl chitosan, water soluble low molecular weight chitosan, glucosamine hydrochloride, chitooligosaccharde, and their minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC)to the growth of staphylococcus aureus were determined.

  Methods   Using nutrient broth dilution method, MIC to the growth of staphy lococcus aureus of water soluble chitosan derivates were measured to determine the antimicrobial activity.

  Results   Under the condition of this experiment(the pHvalue of the nutrient brothe was 7.2), the MICof carbox ymethyl chitosan, water soluble low molecular weight chitosan、glucosamine hydro chloride were 10.0 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 12.5 mg/ml respectively.

  Conclusion   These chitosan derivates had some antimicrobial activity to the growthe of staphylo coccus aureus and the water soluble low molecular weight chitosan had the strongest antimicrobial activity, while the chitoo ligosaccharde had no antimicrobial activity to the growth of staphylococcus aureus in this condition.