Preparation, physicochemical characterization and antimicrobial activities of novel two phenolic chitosan Schiff base derivatives

Abstract This study intends to develop novel two antimicrobial phenolic chitosan Schiff bases (I) and (II) via coupling of chitosan with Indole-3-carboxaldehyde and 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, respectively, for boosting the antimicrobial activity of native chitosan. The alterations in the chemical structure and morphology of the Schiff bases were verified using FT-IR, electronic spectrum analysis, and SEM, whereas the thermal properties were investigated by TGA and DSC instruments. The results obtained from the potentiometric analysis referred that the degrees of substitution were 1.15 and 12.05% for Schiff bases (I) and (II), respectively. The antimicrobial activities of Schiff base (I) were significantly augmented more than Schiff base (II) and chitosan. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Schiff base (I) was perceived at 50 µg/ml against tested microorganisms except for B . cereus and C . albicans . The highest concentration of Schiff base (I) could inhibit the growth of Gram-positive up to 99%. However, Schiff base (II) recorded the maximum inhibition rate versus Gram-positive approximately 82%. The cytotoxicity of the developed materials was estimated by MTT assay that substantiated their safety to fibroblast cells. The findings emphasized that the developed Schiff bases might be implemented as antimicrobial contenders to pure chitosan for treatments of wound infections.