Abstract: Objective To explore the antibacterial activity of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) with glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent composite carboxymethyl chitosan(CMC). Methods The 2×3 factorial design was adopted, and the experiments were designed according to the sample status (wet, dry) and groups (composite sample group, simple sample group, blank control group). Shaking-flask method was used and the optimized experimental conditions (rotational speed 200 r/min, culture temperature 25 ℃, culture time one hour) were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of acellular dermal matrix composite CMC. To get the bacterial inhibition rate, colony plate count was adopted to obtain the number of bacterial colonies before the experiment(0 h) and after the test(1 h). In the two experimental groups, the number of bacteria accorded with the qualified standard before and after the shaking-flask (change of the number was no more than 10%). Results In wet condition, the antibacterial rate of composite sample group was 61.17% for staphylcoccus aureus, and 39.79% for candida albicans. In dry condition, the antibacterial rate of composite sample group was 0% for staphylcoccus aureus, and 15.17% for candida albicans. There were statistical differences (P <0.001). Conclusion The crosslinking compound has certain antibacterial activity in wet state. In dry condition, it has no antibacterial activity, and the crosslinking efficiency is lower and needs to be improved.

Key words: Shaking-flask method, Carboxymethyl chitosan, Bacterial inhibition rate, Acellular dermal matrix, Antibacterial activity