If chitosan actually has antibacterial properties, the most likely reason that occurs to me is that it is a poly-cation, like a large number of antibacterial peptides (although chitosan is a polysaccharide). This feature has membrane-disruptive properties. An example is colistin, which has 5 positive charges.

Adam B Shapiro thank you for your guidance.

In literature it is mentioned the antibacterial activity of chitosan is dependent of degree of deacetylation, molecular weight and pH. I used two different molecular weights and degree of deacetylation but didn't get any antibacterial activity.

Noor Ul Ain -- I have questioned whether chitosan is antibacterial as has been claimed in a number of papers. If you are interested I would like to collaborate with you on your results and those I have. Please send a message if you are able, I hit the follow button for you but it would not let me send a message.

Robert John Wolff Thank you for your response. Sure I will send a message.

Hi,

Yes chitosan has an antibacterial effect especially on Gram-postivie bacteria because of its amino funcionall group. It will have and effect as a

cell Membrane Disruption – The positively charged amino groups in chitosan interact with the negatively charged bacterial cell walls, leading to membrane disruption and leakage of intracellular contents.

I hope my answer was useful for you.

Good luck

Husham Alezzi - Could you please provide a reference that gives the experimental details to verify how this mechanism works in vitro or in vivo.