Quinoline anhydride derivatives cross-linked chitosan hydrogels for potential use in biomedical and metal ions adsorption

Chemical modification of chitosan is one of the methods to increase the reactivity of chitosan toward many applications. The presence of primary amino groups in chitosan permits its modifications with different agents. New three-dimensional network structure hydrogels (Va–f) and (Va–f)G were prepared via reaction of chitosan with 3-(carboxymethyl)-2-aryl-6-alkylquinoline-4-carboxylic acid anhydride derivatives (IVa–f) in the absence and/or presence of glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent, respectively. The hydrogels were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, solubility, swelling behavior, thermal analysis, surface morphology and biodegradability. Evaluation of the hydrogels toward antibacterial activity, load and release of lidocaine and efficiency of metal ions uptake (Co+2 and Hg+2) was investigated. Hydrogel (Ve) revealed the highest activities toward (Gram −Ve) E. coli and Proteus and (Gram +Ve) S. aureus and B. subtilis bacteria than chitosan. However, hydrogel (Ve)G revealed the highest drug loading and release and showed also the potent efficiency toward metal ions uptake for Co+2 and Hg+2.