Abstract

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of chitosan-o-kojic acid conjugate polymer (COS-O-KA) due to the conjugation of chitosan with kojic acid. The characteristics of water solubility, pH stability as well as hemolysis assay and cytotoxicity tests in vitro, zeta potential, and animal toxicity studies were investigated. The antioxidant activities in vitro were evaluated by DPPH•, •OH, •O₂ −, ABTS•⁺, and Fe²⁺ chelating assays, which revealed that conjugation notably enhanced the antioxidant activities relative to free COS and KA. Owing to its noncytotoxicity and low hemolysis, COS-O-KA might be considered a promising material for antioxidant applications.

Keywords: Chitosan oligosaccharide; Kojic acid; Antioxidant activity