Abstract
Objective: This study produced a fungal chitosan membrane extracted from Rhizopus stolonifer, as well as its modification using dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBD), aiming to improve the physicochemical characteristics of the membrane, optimizing its use in the medical research field. Method: The obtained chitosan was physically and chemically characterized (Molecular Weight, Fourier Transform Infrared, X-ray Diffraction), later were produced fungal chitosan membranes and DBD plasma was applied. The membranes were characterized before and after plasma application using the tests contact angle, swelling and atomic force microscopy (medium roughness) analyzes. Results: A fungal chitosan with a yield of 16.73 mg/g, and an apparent molecular weight of 4 kDa was obtained, being considered of low molecular weight and high degree of deacetylation (84%). It was possible to obtain the membrane and after application of DBD plasma, the contact angle dropped from 77.5° to 30.9°, making it more hydrophilic. Conclusion: Thus, the efficiency of the technique for increasing the hydrophilicity of the fungal chitosan membrane without the additive of chemical reagents during the process was confirmed and the membrane formed is a promising alternative can be used in different ways in the medical area.
Highlights
The Chitosan is a copolymer formed from the deacetylation of some chitin glycopyranose residues (Annu et al, 2017)
3.1 Characterization of fungal chitosan The edaphic samples from Seridó Ecological Station was identified as R. stolonifer and it generated a yielded of chitosan of 16.73 mg/g by dry biomass
The chitosan produced was characterized with molecular weight of 4.12 kDa, degree of deacetylation of 84%
Summary
The Chitosan is a copolymer formed from the deacetylation of some chitin glycopyranose residues (Annu et al, 2017). When chemically obtained from the chitin present in crustacean carapace it is known as an animal chitosan (Polymar, 2020). Animal chitosan is the most commercially used because its yield is approximately 2 to 3 times higher than the fungal. Their purification and processing require a large amount of use of chemical compounds, which elevate the costs of production and decreases the yield (Bento et al, 2011). When referring to food and medical use, another problem is suggested: The allergenic potential of some proteins such as tropomyosin and arginine kinase that accumulate in the chitosan molecule when not properly purified (Stamford et al, 2007; Pascal et al, 2015; Faber et al, 2017)
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