Abstract: Biocompatible compositions, in particular for the preparation of a biodegradable coating for medical articles, include a biocompatible thickening polymer and a chitosan derivative comprising D-glucosamine units of the following formula (I): wherein X is an alditolic or aldonic polyol residue of the following formula (II): wherein: R is CH2 or CO; R1 is hydrogen, a monosaccharide moiety or an oligosaccharide moiety; R2 is OH or NHCOCH3. The present invention also relates to uses of the disclosed compositions, to a kit of parts including a composition in powder form and to a method for the preparation of a biocompatible composition in gel form. The biodegradable coating shows a good and long-lasting adhesion to the surface of a medical article and allows to improve both the coating operations and the effectiveness in preventing any biofilm formation on the medical article.

Abstract: Disclosed are adducts of boric acid and chitosan wherein the amino groups of the D-glucosamine units are bonded to residues of polyol or alditol oligosaccharides, the molar ratio between boric acid and the repeating chitosan unit ranging between 0.001 and 4.

Abstract: Disclosed are adducts of boric acid and chitosan wherein the amino groups of the D-glucosamine units are bonded to residues of polyol or alditol oligosaccharides, the molar ratio between boric acid and the repeating chitosan unit ranging between 0.001 and 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanocomposite systems made of metallic nanoparticles stabilized with branched cationic polysaccharides, in particular alditolic or aldonic mono- and oligo-saccharidic derivatives of chitosan, and their preparation obtainable with aqueous solutions of these polysaccharides in the presence or absence of reducing agents. The peculiar chemical and physical-chemical features of these polysaccharides allow to form metallic nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in the polysaccharidic matrix and an effective stabilization thereof. The properties associated with the nanometric dimensions and the presence of biological signals on polymeric chains may be exploited in applications with antimicrobial activities and of molecular biosensors.

Abstract: In the present invention nanocomposite materials in form of three-dimensional structure formed by a polymeric matrix consisting of a polysaccharidic composition of neutral or anionic polysaccharides and a branched cationic polysaccharides, in which metallic nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed and stabilized, are described. Using appropriate techniques of gelification or by means of an appropriate dehydration, the nanocomposite materials are three-dimensional matrices having different shapes in hydrated form as hydrogels, or in non-hydrated form. These nanocomposite materials have a broad-spectrum of strong bactericidal activity, but do not show any cytotoxicity.