Synthesis and characterization of pectin-chitosan conjugate for biomedical application.

Background: Polysaccharides are extensively used in drug delivery systems due to their ability to undergo a broad range of chemical and enzymatic reactions, forming new molecules. Among these, chitosan (CS) and pectin (PEC) are widely used for designing new conjugates and biopolymers.

Methods: In this study, we synthesized pectin-chitosan conjugate (PEC-CS) by using carbodiimide crosslinking chemistry. Pectin-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, formed in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide under anhydrous conditions, was conjugated with chitosan by linking the free carboxyl group of PEC with the primary amino group of chitosan.

Results: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the PEC-CS conjugate. X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that the PEC-CS conjugate is amorphous in nature, has high thermostability than those of native polymers, and has no cytotoxicity.

Conclusion: Our results indicated that PEC-CS conjugate can be further developed for use in drug delivery systems.