Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan Nanoaggregates from Gladius of Uroteuthis duvauceli.

J R Anusha,Albin T Fleming

doi:10.1155/2016/5379424

Abstract

We report the synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of chitosan nanoaggregates from gladius of squid, Uroteuthis duvauceli. β-Chitin extracted from gladius was deacetylated to chitosan and further reduced to nanosize using ionic gelation process. The morphology and occurrence of chitosan nanoaggregates (CSNA) were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The degree of deacetylation (DD%) calculated from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum showed high value (~94 ± 1.25%) for chitosan. The CSNA depicts low molecular weight, stable positive zeta potential, and less ash and moisture content with high water and fat binding capacity. The antimicrobial activity was tested against pathogenic microorganisms, which depicted significant rate of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli due to high cellular uptake. The antioxidant analysis for CSNA demonstrated high reducing power and scavenging activity towards superoxide radicals compared with the commercially available chitosan. Furthermore, nanoaggregates exhibited low cytotoxic behavior in biological in vitro tests performed using cervical cancer cell line. These results indicate that chitosan nanoaggregates synthesized from waste gladius will be highly efficient and safe candidate for biological applications as food packing film, drug carrier, and tissue engineering.

Highlights

In recent years, the biopolymers have been considered as potential eco-friendly substitute for the use of nonbiodegradable and renewable materials
The pure form of monoclinic β-chitin is patterned in parallel direction with weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds occurring in gladius of squid fish commonly known as squid pen [3]. γ-Chitin is extracted from fungal microorganisms which is a combination of α- and β-chitin [4]
The yield of CS from β-chitin isolated from gladius of U. duvauceli was 49.28%, which was higher or even comparable with the results of other squid species [31, 32]

Summary

Introduction

The biopolymers have been considered as potential eco-friendly substitute for the use of nonbiodegradable and renewable materials One among such naturally abundant biopolymers is chitin, a mucopolysaccharide formed of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucose through β (1 → 4) linkages. Nanoparticles synthesized using chemical as well as mechanical method exhibit much improved properties compared with normal sized biopolymers due to high aspect ratio and surface area. Chitosan production from gladius is cost-effective and prevents the usage of excess acids and alkaline pollutants due to its low impurities and absence of coloured compounds. It shows better reactivity, solubility, and swelling than from other sources due to much weaker molecular hydrogen bonding [7]. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities were evaluated to identify bioactive potential of synthesized nanostructure

Experimental

H NHCOCH3 CH2OH β-Chitin

Results and Discussion

Conclusions