Abstract:Chitosan oligosaccharides COS-N conjugate were prepared by Maillard reaction in solution condition. Infrared spectroscopic analysis and scanning electron microscope showed that COS and NISIN are cross-linked by covalent bonds, and the structure were also changed. The median lethal dose(LD50) of COS-N Mixture and conjugate on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were measured. The results showed thatunder the same testing conditions, the LD50 of COS-N Conjugate to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was reduced by 22% and 55% respectively. when compared with that of COS-NMixture. The study on the antimicrobial mechanism showed that COS-N conjugate could destroyed the integrity of cell membrane, released the intracellular substances and increased the permeability of bacterial cell membrane to a greater extent, when compared with that of COS-N Mixture. In summary, Maillard reaction can effectively improve the antibacterial activity of COS-N Conjugate, which can a novel way to synthesis natural preservatives.