Synthesis, Characterization, and Antifungal Activities
of Amphiphilic Derivatives of Diethylaminoethyl Chitosan against Aspergillus flavus
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Abstract
Amphiphilic
derivatives of diethylaminoethyl chitosan (DEAE-CH)
were synthesized using a two-step process involving initial substitution
with diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) groups followed by reductive amination
with dodecylaldehyde. The synthesized derivatives were characterized
by <sup>1</sup>H NMR, gel permeation, and FTIR. The associative behaviors
of these compounds in aqueous solution were studied using fluorescence
spectroscopy, whereas their antifungal activities against Aspergillus flavus were evaluated in terms of mycelial
growth. The effects of deacetylated chitosans and their derivatives
on the mycelial growth of <i>A. flavus</i> were evaluated
at several polymer concentrations (0.05–1.0 g/L), and the results
were compared. The inhibition indices of the deacetylated chitosans
increased with increasing <i>M</i><sub>w</sub> (16.9 kDa
< 176 kDa < 517.7 kDa); however, derivatives with a combination
of either a high molecular weight (<i>M</i><sub>w</sub>)
and low hydrophobicity or a low <i>M</i><sub>w</sub> and
high hydrophobicity were the most effective in inhibiting the in vitro
radial growth of <i>A. flavus</i>
