N-lauric-O-carboxymethyl chitosan: Synthesis, characterization and application as a pH-responsive carrier for curcumin particles.

A pH-responsive amphiphilic chitosan derivative, N-lauric-O-carboxymethyl chitosan (LA-CMCh), is synthesized. Its molecular structures are characterized by FTIR, H NMR, and XRD methods. The influencing factors are investigated, including the amount of lauric acid (LA), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh), N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), and their molar ratio, reaction time, and reaction temperature on the substitution.