Methodology for the Synthesis of Chitosan Derivatives to be Applied in Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The biological growth and microbial activity in heritage artefacts, promotes and accelerates their deterioration, constituting a reason of great concern for its desirable preservation. The aim of this work is to establish a simple and efficient methodology for the synthesis of new chitosan derivatives, to be applied in the production of new antibacterial biocides. The chitosan derivatives were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity using several bacterial strains isolated from heritage context. The results of the microbial activity allow us to conclude that the chitosan derivatives with N-acyl fatty acids are promising products for the short-term development of new biocides.