Maillard reaction products of chitosan and glucosamine: antibacterial and antioxidant activity

Abstract

Maillard reactions between chitosan and glucosamine were induced by Co-60 gamma irradiation method and the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of resulting products were investigated. Briefly, a mixture of chitosan (1%) - glucosamine (0.5%) was irradiated with a dose range of 0-100 kGy. The Maillard reaction products of chitosan and glucosamine (CTS-GA MRPs) were analyzed by UV spectrophotometry, and residual glucosamine was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the CTS-GA MRPs were investigated with radiation dose and pH by using directly contacted and ATBS•+ free radical scavenging methods. The results indicated that the CTS-GA MRPs formed at 25 kGy exhibited high antibacterial activity at both pH 5 and 7. On the other hand, antioxidant activity of CTS-GA MRPs increased with the increase of dose. The results also revealed that CTS-GA MRPs with high antimicrobial and antioxidant activities are potential candidates as preservative agents in food processing and cosmetics.