Chitosan Grafted With β-Cyclodextrin: Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Role as Absorbefacient and Solubilizer

We synthesized chitosan grafted with β-cyclodextrin (CD-g-CS) from mono-6-deoxy-6-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-β-cyclodextrin and chitosan. Two different amounts of immobilized β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on CD-g-CS (QCD: 0.643 × 103 and 0.6 × 102 μmol/g) were investigated. The results showed that the amino contents of CD-g-CS with QCD = 0.643 × 103 and 0.6 × 102 μmol/g were 6.34 ± 0.072 and 9.41 ± 0.055%, respectively. Agar diffusion bioassay revealed that CD-g-CS (QCD = 0.6 × 102 μmol/g) was more active against Staphylococcus xylosus and Escherichia coli than CD-g-CS (QCD = 0.643 × 103 μmol/g). Cell membrane integrity tests and scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that the antimicrobial activity of CD-g-CS was attributed to membrane disruption and cell lysis. Uptake tests showed that CD-g-CS promoted the uptake of doxorubicin hydrochloride by S. xylosus, particularly for CD-g-CS with QCD = 0.6 × 102 μmol/g, and the effect was concentration dependent. CD-g-CS (QCD = 0.6 × 102 and 0.643 × 103 μmol/g) also improved the aqueous solubilities of sulfadiazine, sulfamonomethoxine, and sulfamethoxazole. These findings provide a clear understanding of CD-g-CS and are of great importance for reducing the dosage of antibiotics and antibiotic residues in animal-derived foods. The results also provide a reliable, direct, and scientific theoretical basis for its wide application in the livestock industry.