Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity Assay of Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Abstract

Chitosan is a natural biopolymer with the second largest abundance after cellulose. This compound was obtained from the deacetylation of chitin from crab shell waste obtained in province of Lampung. It is known that chitosan has antibacterial properties because it has an amino group. However, a modification process needs to be carried out to produce compounds with more specific properties and benefits. The purpose of this study was to synthesize and to determine the characterization and antibacterial activity of carboxymethyl modified chitosan. Based on the research results obtained as much as 10.24% chitosan (per weight of crab shell powder) and carboxymethyl chitosan as much as 72.9% (per weight of chitosan). FTIR analysis of the derivative confirmed the incorporation of the carboxymethyl groups. Chitosan has a water content of 0.49% while carboxymethyl modified chitosan has a water content of 0.67%. The ash content of chitosan was 0.33% and the ash content of carboxymethyl modified chitosan was 0.69%. The synthesized chitosan has antibacterial activity against E.coli bacteria with the inhibition zone of 10 mm while against S. Aureus it had an inhibition zone of 11.89 mm. Meanwhile the inhibition zone of carboxymethyl chitosan against E.coli bacteria was 11.50 while that for S. Aureus was 12 mm.