Sulfated chitosan was prepared from the shell of donacid clam Donax
scortum by following demineralization, deproteinization, deacetylation and sulfating
with chlorosulfonic acid. Results: FT-IR spectrum proved the structure of sulfated
chitosan. The yield, sulfate content and molecular weight was found 80.30%, 14.2%
and 18.65 × 104 Da. Their anticoagulant activity was determined for human plasma
with respect to the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin
time (PT) and it was 6.45 and 1.73 IU, respectively. The antioxidant activity of sulfated
chitosan was evaluated as radical scavengers against superoxide anion (71.46% at
0.5 mg/ml) and hydroxyl radicals (64.73% at 3.2 mg/ml). The antioxidant activity of
sulfated chitosan was evaluated as radical scavengers against superoxide anion and
hydroxyl radicals of 71.46% at 0.5 mg/ml and 64.73% at 3.2 mg/ml. The chelating
ability and reducing power of sulfated chitosan was 43.24 at 10 mg/ml and 0.578 at
0.75 mg/ml. IC50 values of scavenging abilities on superoxide anion and hydroxyl
radicals were 0.398 and 0.527 mg/ml whereas those of chelating ability and reducing
power were 5.01 and 0.728 mg/ml. Conclusion: These results indicated that sulfated
chitosan from D. scortum had potent anticoagulant and antioxidant activities.