Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of chitosan hydrazide derivative

A series of modified chitosan derivatives 1-4 has been synthesized. Modification process of chitosan was achieved through a sequence of four reactions starting by protection of its amino group with benzaldehyde (derivative 1), followed by reaction with epichlorohydrine (derivative 2), then reaction with benzhydrazide (derivative 3), and finally restoring the free amino groups on the chitosan by removing of benzaldehyde molecules (derivative 4). These four derivatives were characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR, and X-ray. The four chitosan derivatives showed better antibacterial and antifungal activities than that of chitosan. Derivative 4 exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity relative to the other derivatives.