Correlation of the structure, properties, and antimicrobial activity of a soluble thiolated chitosan derivative

A thiolated chitosan (CS) derivative was synthesized by the introduction of thioglycolic acid to CS via amide-bond formation mediated by carbodiimide. The chemical structure of the CS derivative was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The solubility test showed that the thiolated CS derivative was water-soluble. The X-ray pattern of the CS derivative showed an obvious disappearance or shift of crystalline peaks compared to that of CS. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the degradation peak temperature of the thiolated CS derivative was much higher than that of CS and implied an improved thermal stability at higher temperatures. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the thiolated CS derivative was comparable to that of CS. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012