Preparation, characterization, antioxidant, and antifungal activity of phenyl/indolyl-acyl chitooligosaccharides

In this study, carboxylic acids compounds were grafted onto chitooligosaccharides to prepare seven phenyl/indolyl-acyl chitooligosaccharides derivatives. The structures of the derivatives were characterized by IR spectroscopy, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. Meanwhile, antioxidant activities in vitro of the novel derivatives were analyzed. Compared to COS and carboxylic acid, the derivatives showed higher scavenging capacity for superoxide anion and DPPH radicals, with scavenging rates of 59.39% and 94.86%, respectively. The hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of the derivatives was only 18.89%. The antifungal activities of chitooligosaccharide derivatives against Diaporthe batatas and Phytophthora capsici were studied by the growth rate method. Compared with chitooligosaccharide itself, derivatives were inhibited by 97.77% and 100%. The above results showed that chitooligosaccharide derivatives have good biocompatibility and can be used in food, agriculture and medicine. [Display omitted] •Seven types of phenyl/indolyl-acyl chitooligosaccharide were successfully prepared.•Molecular structure characterization by spectroscopic and elemental analysis.•All derivatives have varying degrees of antioxidant activity and antifungal activity.