Synthesis and Characterization of Schiff bases of Chitosan for their Improved Mucoadhesion

Chemically modified Chitosan are more or less similar to non modified Chitosan in the properties of biodegradability, non toxicity and the biocompatibility. The synthesized Schiff base derivatives bear a hydrophobic functionality at the amino terminal after a stepwise synthetic pathway of reductive amination. The bulkier hydrophobic moiety restrict to form intramolecular hydrogen bonding and then the intermolecular non covalent interactions like van der waals forces and hydrogen bonding of the functionalities with the mucosa avails the molecule with enhancing mucoadhesive effect. The mucoadhesive strength assessment provides a proof for the same. The spectroscopic data supports the structural elucidation.