Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of maltol functionalized chitosan derivatives

Chitin was isolated from prawn shell powder through demineralization and deproteinization process. Chitosan was synthesized from isolated chitin by deacetylation process and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra which showed close agreement with commercial chitosan. Physicochemical features such as moisture content, ash content, degree of deacetylation and molecular weight has been measured. The prepared chitosan was found to have comparatively higher molecular weight than the commercial chitosan. Functionalization of NH2 group of chitosan with C = O group of maltol and ethyl maltol by refluxing equimolar quantities of respective ketones was performed. These synthesized derivatives of chitosan were characterized by their FTIR, 13C-Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential thermal analysis (DTA) instrumental techniques. Antibacterial screening results of the synthesized chitosan and its derivatives indicate that these compounds are active against Escherichia coli bacteria.