Abstract
Coupling of tetracycline(Tc) to dithiocarbamate chitosan(DTCC) via chelate bond was investigated varying reaction time, concentration, temperature, pH, and Ca(II)/Tc ratio. The amount of Tc bound to matrix increased to give a maximum and decreased as the reaction proceeded. The degree and rate of dissociation of Tc complex were affected by the reaction temperature, and pH. By running the reaction at low temperature and pH, the degree of dissociation was greatly diminished. Properties of drug-release from DTCC-Ca(II)-Tc complex were studied by batch- and flow-method and release of Tc and CA(II) by flow method followed nearly zero-order. DTCC-Ca(II)-Tc showed very prolonged antimicrobial activity compared to that of free Tc.