Biological activity of chitosan aspartate and its effect on germination of test seeds

Abstract

A polymer salt, chitosan aspartate, was obtained by dissolving chitosan in an aqueous solution of L-aspartic acid. It was found that polysalt macromolecules in an aqueous medium exhibit the properties of a cationic polyelectrolyte with a partially compensated positive charge. Chitosan aspartate shows high antibacterial activity and no cytotoxicity. The positive effect of polysalt on germination of watercress test seeds was revealed, which allows us to consider chitosan aspartate as a promising biostimulator of plant growth. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.