Chitosan Based Nanomaterials in Plant Growth and Protection by Vinod Saharan & Ajay Pal

Author:Vinod Saharan & Ajay Pal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer India, New Delhi

4.1 Antimicrobial Activity

Chitosan introduces antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities and can be used as biocide for plant protection and growth (Xing et al. 2015; Van et al. 2013). A number of studies have been performed on the antimicrobial activity of chitosan and its derivatives against plant pathogens and has been exploited in commercial applications due to its broad spectrum nature (Badawy and Rebea 2011). The antimicrobial activity of chitosan has been acknowledged for more than 30 years but its mode of action still remains ambiguous (Marquez et al. 2013). Its antimicrobial activity closely correlates with its polycationic structure. As environmental pH is below the pKa of chitosan and its derivatives, the electrostatic interactions between the polycationic structure and the predominantly anionic components of the microorganisms’ surface (such as lipopolysaccharide and cell surface proteins) play a primary role in antimicrobial activity (Kong et al. 2010). Antimicrobial activity of chitosan also depends on MW, DA, pH of chitosan and also on the nature of organism. In general, yeasts and moulds are more sensitive followed by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Badawy and Rebea 2011).

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