Surface modified nanocrystalline cellulose and uses thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to surface modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) prepared by chemical modification of NCC as well as its use thereof, including as carrier of particular chemical compounds. The surface of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was modified with chitosan oligosaccharide (CS OS ) by selectively oxidizing the primary alcohol moieties of NCC followed by coupling of the amino groups of CS OS to the oxidized NCC to provide the desired material (NCC-CS OS ).

1 . A surface modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) comprising chitosan oligosaccharides (CS OS ) covalently bond to the external surface of said NCC (NCC-CS OS ). 
     
     
         2 . The modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) of  claim 1 , wherein said covalent bond is a peptide bond. 
     
     
         3 . The modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) of  claim 1 , wherein said covalent bond is an imine (C═N). 
     
     
         4 . A method for preparing a surface modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) comprising oxidizing primary hydroxyl groups of said NCC to provide oxidized functional groups and covalently bonding chitosan oligosaccharides (CS OS ) to the oxidized functional groups. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said primary hydroxyl is oxidized to a carboxyl functional group. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said primary hydroxyl is oxidized by TEMPO-mediated oxidation sodium or potassium dichromate (VI) acidified with dilute sulphuric acid or ammonium persulfate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said primary hydroxyl is oxidized to an aldehyde functional group. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said covalent bond is obtained by contacting said oxidized primary hydroxyl groups of NCC and said chitosan oligosaccharides (CS OS ) with a carbodiimide reagent. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutically, cosmetically or agriculturally active agent comprising the NCC-CS OS  as defined in  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically, cosmetically or agriculturally active chemical compound loaded on said NCC-CS OS . 
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical, cosmetical or agricultural composition comprising the pharmaceutically, cosmetically or agriculturally active agent as defined in  claim 10  admixed together with one or more acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said covalent bond is obtained by contacting said oxidized primary hydroxyl groups of NCC and said chitosan oligosaccharides (CS OS ) with a carbodiimide reagent.