Original method for synthesis of chitosan-based antimicrobial agent by quaternary ammonium grafting.

Functionalized high molar mass chitosan derivatives with increased antibacterial properties were prepared by the reaction of chitosan with different quaternary ammonium salts. Benzalkonium bromide, pyridinium bromide and triethyl ammonium bromide were synthesized by a quaternization reaction between 1,4-dibromobutane and the respective tertiary amines (N, N-dimethylbenzylamine, triethylamine and pyridine) to obtain three ammonium salts with a bromide end-group capable of reacting with a functional group from the chitosan backbone. The ammonium salts were chemically grafted along the chitosan macromolecular chains. Four different chitosan derivatives were obtained and their chemical structures analyzed and confirmed by