Inhibitory Action of Low-Molecular Chitosan on Growth of Bacteria with Different Tinctorial Properties

-Inhibitory effect of chitosan (molecular mass 28 kDa, deacetylation 94%) and of its quaternized derivative with 60% substitution on bacteria of various taxonomic groups was investigated. Bacteria differing in the cell wall surface characteristics and affinity to dyes were found to differ in their sensitivity to chitosan. Correlation dependencies between antibacterial activity of quaternized chitosan and the surface characteristics of bacterial cell walls were revealed.

Automated summary

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of chitosan and its quaternized derivative on bacteria from different taxonomic groups. Bacteria with different cell wall surface characteristics and dye affinity were found to vary in their sensitivity to chitosan. Correlation dependencies between the antibacterial activity of quaternized chitosan and the surface characteristics of bacterial cell walls were revealed.