The Open Biomaterials Journal

2013, 4 : 1-5
Published online 2013 July 26. DOI: 10.2174/1876502501304010001
Publisher ID: TOBIOMTJ-4-1

RESEARCH ARTICLE
 Antibacterial Activity of Chitosan on Some Common Food Contaminating Microbes

Nguyen Van Toan, * , Tran Thi Hanh and Pham Vo Minh Thien
School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

* Address correspondence to this author at the School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Fax: +84-83-7244271; E-mail: nvtoan@hcmiu.edu.vn

ABSTRACT

The antimicrobial activity of chitosan was thoroughly investigated. The prepared chitosan solutions at diluted concentrations and in aerosol form, of which applied to apples and bananas had considerably prolonged the storage time of the fruits and prevented them from microbes contaminating and growing. The study has reconfirmed that chitosan exhibits high antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and spoilage micro-organisms, including fungi, and both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This study has also found that the Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of chitosan solution on Staphylococcus aureus was 3.97 mg/ml and the Minimum Inhibition Concentration of chitosan solution on Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 3.49 mg/ml.

Keywords: :

Chitosan solution, Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MIC, food preservation.