Synthesis and Properties of Bombyx Mori Chitosan Nanoascorbate Complexes Based on Oligochitosan and High-molecular-weight Chitosan

<title>Abstract</title> <p>This study investigated the synthesis of chitosan nanoascorbate (CSNA) using the ionotropic gelation method in the presence of a stabilizer, as well as the synthesis of CSNA from low-molecular-weight chitosan without a stabilizer. The physicochemical properties of the obtained CSNA samples were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The CSNA samples derived from low-molecular-weight chitosan exhibited an average hydrodynamic diameter of 117 nm, whereas the samples synthesized from relatively high-molecular-weight chitosan by the ionotropic gelation method exhibited average hydrodynamic diameters of 360–380 nm. AFM analysis additionally revealed particles with lateral dimensions below 180 nm on the surface of the CSNA samples. The applicability of the nanostructured CSNA samples in sericulture was also evaluated. CSNA prepared from low-molecular-weight chitosan at an initial chitosan: ascorbic acid ratio of 4:1 and a concentration of 0.5% exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than both the initial components and the samples synthesized using the ionotropic gelation method.</p>