Chitosan-derivative compounds and methods of controlling microbial populations

Abstract

The present invention is directed to chitosan-derivative compounds and structures, methods of making chitosan-derivative compounds and methods for controlling, inhibiting and enhancing microbial populations in a variety of environments. The present invention is also directed to the control, inhibition and enhancement of microbial populations in animals, particularly humans. The microbial populations include bacteria, viruses and other pathogens where control of microbial populations are a necessity. The chitosan-derivative compounds of the present invention include chitosan-arginine compounds, related chitosan-L/D unnatural amino acid compounds, chitosan-acid amine compounds, chitosan-L/D natural amino acid derivative compounds, co-derivatives of the chitosan-derivative compounds, salts of the chitosan derivative compounds, and chitosan-guanidine compounds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 195 . (canceled) 
     
     
         196 . A method for controlling microbial activity in an individual, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a functionalized chitosan-derivative in a therapeutically effective excipient, wherein the functionalized chitosan-derivative is a compound of formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is 0.02-0.50; q is 0.50-0.01; s is 1; p+q+m=1; the percentage degree of functionalization is m/(1−q)·100%; and X is selected from the group consisting of: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         197 . The method of  claim 196 , wherein the microbial activity is in biofilms. 
     
     
         198 . The method of  claim 196 , wherein the compound has an average molecular weight between 25,000 and 350,000 Da. 
     
     
         199 . The method of  claim 196 , wherein the compound is soluble at pH between 6.7 and 7.4. 
     
     
         200 . The method of  claim 196 , wherein the degree of functionalization is between 6% and 30%. 
     
     
         201 . The method of  claim 196 , wherein q is less than 0.20. 
     
     
         202 . The method of  claim 196 , wherein the compound is substantially free of compounds having a molecular weight of less than 5,000 Da, and wherein the compound is substantially free of polyarginine polymers. 
     
     
         203 . A method for treating or preventing the growth of microbial populations in an individual comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a functionalized chitosan-derivative in a therapeutically effective excipient, wherein the functionalized chitosan-derivative is a compound of formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is 0.02-0.50; q is 0.50-0.01; s is 1; p+q+m=1; the percentage degree of functionalization is m/(1−q)·100%; and X is selected from the group consisting of: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         204 . The method of  claim 203 , wherein the compound has an average molecular weight between 25,000 and 350,000 Da. 
     
     
         205 . The method of  claim 203 , wherein the compound is soluble at pH between 6.7 and 7.4. 
     
     
         206 . The method of  claim 203 , wherein the degree of functionalization is between 6% and 30%. 
     
     
         207 . The method of  claim 203 , wherein q is less than 0.20. 
     
     
         208 . The method of  claim 203 , wherein the compound is substantially free of compounds having a molecular weight of less than 5,000 Da, and wherein the compound is substantially free of polyarginine polymers. 
     
     
         209 . A method for preventing or inhibiting biofilm formation in an individual comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a functionalized chitosan-derivative in a therapeutically effective excipient, wherein the functionalized chitosan-derivative is a compound of formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is 0.02-0.50; q is 0.50-0.01; s is 1; p+q+m=1; the percentage degree of functionalization is m/(1−q)·100%; and X is selected from the group consisting of: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         210 . The method of  claim 209 , wherein the compound has an average molecular weight between 25,000 and 350,000 Da. 
     
     
         211 . The method of  claim 209 , wherein the compound is soluble at pH between 6.7 and 7.4. 
     
     
         212 . The method of  claim 209 , wherein degree of functionalization is between 6% and 30%. 
     
     
         213 . The method of  claim 209 , wherein q is less than 0.20. 
     
     
         214 . The method of  claim 209 , wherein the compound is substantially free of compounds having a molecular weight of less than 5,000 Da, and wherein the compound is substantially free of polyarginine polymers.