SYNTHESIS OF CHITOSAN DERIVATIVES WITH QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SALT AND THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

N-alkyl chitosan derivatives were prepared by introducing alkyl groups into the amine groups of chitosan via Schiff's base intermediates. Qu aternization of the N-alkyl chitosan derivatives were carried out usin g methyl iodide to produce water soluble cationic polyelectrolytes, no vel chitosan derivatives with quaternary ammonium salt. Their antibact erial activities against S.aureus were explored by the viable cell cou nting method in acetate buffer(pH 6.0). The antibacterial activities o f the chitosan derivatives with quaternary ammonium salt increased wit h increase in the chain length of the alkyl substituent, and this incr eased activity could be ascribed to the contribution of the increased hydrophobic properties of the derivatives.