Influence of gamma irradiation on antimicrobial activity of solutions and films of chitosan

Abstract

The effect of irradiation dose with ⁶⁰Co and polymer concentration on antimicrobial activity of chitosan coating-forming solutions (CFS) and films was evaluated. It was prepared CFS of irradiated chitosan (5, 10, 20 and 50 kGy) at 1.5 y 2% (w/v) dissolved in lactic acid at 1% (w/v) and Tween 80 at 0.1% (v/v). The antimicrobial activity of CFS was assessed through wells method, while agar diffusion method was used for films evaluation. It was used attenuated stumps of microorganisms Gram-positives, Gram-negatives and a yeast. Films and CFS of irradiated chitosans at 20 y 50 kGy presented an inhibitory effect against E. coli ATCC 25922 and their activity depended on polymer concentration. Chitosan films showed higher antimicrobial activity than CFS.