Description

Quaternary Chitosan — Shellfish Origin | Bulk Supplier

TMC / HTCC | CAS 101200-48-0 / 112879-37-5 | pH 1–14 Soluble | Permanent Cationic Charge | Pharma, Fiber & Industrial Grade

Quaternary Chitosan (Shellfish Origin) is an advanced permanently charged cationic biopolymer produced by quaternizing shellfish-derived chitosan through controlled chemical modification. Unlike standard chitosan which carries a pH-dependent charge and loses solubility above pH 6.5 quaternary chitosan (QCS) maintains full water solubility and permanent positive charge across the entire pH range from 1 to 14. This makes it the material of choice for pharmaceutical drug delivery systems, antimicrobial fiber manufacturing, textile finishing, cosmetic formulations, and industrial coatings where standard chitosan underperforms. Available in 25 g samples ($45) and 1 kg units ($205), with bulk industrial supply on request.

What Is Quaternary Chitosan? TMC vs HTCC vs HACC Explained

‘Quaternary chitosan’ is a family of chitosan derivatives produced by introducing a permanently positively charged quaternary ammonium group onto the chitosan backbone. The three main commercial forms are:

Form	Chemical Name	Best Known For
TMC	N,N,N-Trimethyl Chitosan Chloride (CAS 101200-48-0)	Oral/nasal/mucosal drug delivery; tight junction opening
HTCC	N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium Chitosan Chloride (CAS 112879-37-5)	Nanoparticle drug carriers; gene delivery; wound care
HACC	2-Hydroxypropyltrimethyl Ammonium Chloride Chitosan	Antimicrobial coatings; biomedical devices; textiles

This product is shellfish-sourced quaternary chitosan supplied to pharmaceutical, textile, and industrial-grade specification. The exact quaternization form (TMC or HTCC) can be specified at time of order contact us for technical discussion.

Compare all chitosan types: Types of Chitosan — Full Range

The Chemistry: Why Quaternization Makes Chitosan Permanently Cationic

Standard chitosan carries amino groups (-NH₂) that become protonated (-NH₃⁺) only in acidic conditions (pH < 6.5). Above this threshold, the charge is lost and the polymer becomes insoluble — severely limiting its use in physiological, neutral, or alkaline systems.

Quaternization permanently replaces the primary amino groups with quaternary ammonium groups (-N⁺(CH₃)₃). Because the positive charge is permanent and not pH-dependent, the resulting QCS polymer:

• Remains fully water-soluble at any pH from 1 to 14
• Maintains strong cationic charge density regardless of formulation pH
• Delivers superior mucoadhesion by binding tightly to negatively charged mucosal surfaces
• Provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity at neutral and alkaline pH where standard chitosan is inactive
• Enables stable nanoparticle formation by electrostatic interaction with anionic polymers at any pH

The degree of substitution (DS%) the proportion of amino groups that have been quaternized is the critical quality parameter. Higher DS% means stronger charge density, better solubility, and more potent antimicrobial activity. Our product is supplied at controlled DS% per batch, confirmed by COA.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Product Name	Quaternary Chitosan (QCS / TMC / HTCC)
Source	Shellfish (Shrimp/Crab-derived chitosan)
Common Forms	TMC (CAS 101200-48-0) | HTCC (CAS 112879-37-5)
Appearance	Off-white to pale yellow powder
Solubility	Completely water-soluble across pH 1–14
Charge Type	Permanently cationic (quaternary ammonium)
Degree of Substitution (DS%)	Controlled batch specified per COA
Degree of Deacetylation (DDA)	≥ 85% (base chitosan before quaternization)
Molecular Weight	Variable low / medium / high MW available
pH Stability	Stable pH 1–14 (solubility maintained)
Antimicrobial Activity	Broad-spectrum: bacteria, fungi, some viruses
Film-Forming	Yes , forms coherent, flexible films
Mucoadhesion	High strong affinity to mucosal surfaces
Grade Available	Industrial | Pharmaceutical | Food Grade
Documentation	COA provided per batch; MSDS/SDS available

 

Quaternary Chitosan vs Standard Chitosan vs Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Property	Quaternary Chitosan (QCS)	Standard Chitosan | CMC
Water Solubility	pH 1–14 always soluble	Acid only (pH<6.5) | Wide pH (CMC, anionic)
Charge Type	Permanent cationic (+) at all pH	pH-dependent (+) | Permanent anionic (−) (CMC)
Antimicrobial	Strong at all pH including neutral & alkaline	Moderat only in acid | Weak (CMC)
Drug Permeation	Excellent — opens tight junctions	Limited | None
Mucoadhesion	Very high	Moderate | Moderate
Film Formation	Yes, flexible, oxygen-barrier	Yes | Yes
Preferred Uses	Drug delivery, fiber, antimicrobial coatings	Agriculture, food, water treatment | Cosmetics, wound care
pH Range for Use	Any  universal formulation tool	pH < 6.5 only | pH 3–10

See Carboxymethyl Chitosan: Carboxymethyl Chitosan — Anionic Derivative

See Standard Chitosan: Chitosan — Base Polymer Overview

Core Applications — Where Quaternary Chitosan Delivers Decisive Performance

1. Pharmaceutical Drug Delivery Systems

Quaternary chitosan particularly TMC is one of the most extensively studied natural polymers for drug delivery. Its permanent positive charge enables three mechanisms critical to pharmaceutical performance:

• Tight Junction Opening: TMC temporarily opens the tight junctions between epithelial cells in nasal, oral, and intestinal mucosa, allowing macromolecular drugs (peptides, proteins, vaccines) to cross biological barriers that they would otherwise be unable to penetrate.
• Mucoadhesion: The permanent cationic charge creates strong electrostatic bonding with the negatively charged glycoproteins of mucosal membranes, prolonging residence time and improving drug absorption.
• Nanoparticle Formation: QCS forms stable nanoparticles (100–500 nm) by electrostatic complexation with anionic polymers like sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). These nanoparticles encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs alike, providing controlled release profiles.

Documented pharmaceutical applications:

• Oral delivery of insulin, heparin, and GLP-1 peptide drugs
• Nasal vaccine delivery systems — TMC significantly improves mucosal immune response
• Ocular drug delivery — TMC eye drops improve corneal residence time
• Gene delivery — QCS/DNA complexes (polyplexes) for non-viral gene therapy
• Wound dressing matrices — HTCC nanofibers provide antimicrobial + tissue regeneration

TMC is referenced in hundreds of peer-reviewed pharmaceutical studies and is approved by the US FDA for use in food-contact and pharmaceutical excipient applications.

Related: Chitosan in Dietary Supplements — Nutraceutical Applications

2. Antimicrobial Fiber Manufacturing & Textile Finishing

Quaternary chitosan is widely used in antimicrobial fiber and textile applications because its permanent charge remains active after washing, dyeing, and high-temperature processing — unlike standard chitosan treatments which degrade in alkaline wash conditions.

Fiber applications:

• Core-sheath bicomponent fiber spinning — QCS forms the antimicrobial sheath layer around a structural fiber core
• Islands-in-the-sea fiber architecture — QCS provides distributed antimicrobial islands within a PET or PLA fiber matrix
• Surface padding and exhaust application to cotton, wool, nylon, and polyester
• Anti-odour sportswear and medical textile production
• Wound dressing nonwoven fabrics with sustained antimicrobial release

Critical advantage over standard chitosan in fiber manufacturing: QCS remains positively charged at the alkaline dyeing pH (pH 8–11), maintaining antimicrobial bonding with fiber substrates throughout processing. Standard chitosan loses charge and effectiveness at this pH.

Deep dive: Quaternary Chitosan in Bicomponent Fiber Manufacturing — Full Technical Guide

3. Cosmetics & Personal Care Formulations

In cosmetics, quaternary chitosan functions as a conditioning polymer, preservative booster, and antimicrobial active simultaneously. Its performance advantages over conventional cationic conditioners (polyquaternium series):

• Biodegradable — full environmental breakdown vs. persistent synthetic polyquaterniums
• Biocompatible — low cytotoxicity; suitable for sensitive skin and leave-on formulations
• Film-forming — creates a moisturising, flexible film on hair and skin
• Antimicrobial — reduces formula preservative load; supports eco/clean-label certification

Specific formulation uses:

• Shampoo and conditioner: cationic conditioning for hair smoothing, detangling, and frizz control
• Skincare serums and creams: antimicrobial active + humectant barrier function
• Hand sanitisers and surface sprays: broad-spectrum antimicrobial without alcohol
• Oral care (mouthwash, toothpaste): anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis activity
• Preservative booster in natural/organic certified formulations

Full cosmetics application guide: Chitosan in Cosmetics & Personal Care — Green Beauty Formulation

Personal care applications: Chitosan in Personal Care Products — Full Overview

4. Industrial Antimicrobial Coatings & Surface Modification

QCS provides durable, wash-resistant antimicrobial surface coatings for industrial substrates through electrostatic self-assembly. The permanently charged polymer adsorbs tightly to negatively charged surfaces glass, metal, plastics, ceramics forming a biocidal surface layer.

• Food packaging films and surfaces — reduces surface microbial counts; extends packaged food shelf life
• Medical device coatings — catheter and implant surfaces; reduces hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)
• Paper and cardboard coatings — antimicrobial food-contact packaging
• Membrane modification for water treatment — QCS-coated filtration membranes with anti-fouling properties
• Agricultural seed coatings — QCS protective layer reduces seedling pathogen load

Water treatment applications: Sustainable Water Treatment with Chitosan — Applications

5. Agricultural Crop Protection

In agriculture, the permanent cationic charge of QCS delivers advantages over standard chitosan for foliar and soil applications:

• Foliar spray retention — QCS adheres to the negatively charged waxy cuticle of leaves at any spray pH, improving coverage and persistence versus rain washoff
• Antifungal soil drench — inhibits Fusarium, Pythium, and Botrytis species in rhizosphere at neutral soil pH
• Seed coating — thin QCS film provides germination-phase protection from fungal and bacterial soil pathogens
• Post-harvest fruit coating — antimicrobial barrier at neutral-to-alkaline fruit surface pH

Full agriculture guide: Chitosan in Agriculture — Benefits, Functions and Dosages

Recommended Dosage Guide by Application

Application	Recommended Use Level	Delivery Method
Pharmaceutical — nasal/oral drug delivery	0.1–2.0% w/v in aqueous formulation	Solution or nanoparticle suspension
Pharmaceutical — nanoparticle formation	0.05–0.5% QCS + ionic crosslinker (TPP)	Ionic gelation; spray drying
Fiber manufacturing — surface padding	0.5–3.0% w/v bath concentration	Exhaust or padding process
Textile finishing — antimicrobial	1.0–5.0% w/v; pH 5–7	Immersion or spray finish
Cosmetics — shampoo/conditioner	0.1–1.0% w/w in formulation	Direct incorporation
Cosmetics — skincare / film-forming	0.2–0.8% w/w	Homogeneous dispersion
Industrial antimicrobial coating	0.5–2.0% w/v solution	Dip, spray, or spin-coat
Agricultural foliar spray	0.05–0.5% w/v; pH 5.5–7.0	Dilute in water; spray to runoff
Seed coating	0.5–2.0% solution; allow to dry	Drum coating or spray application

Dosage recommendations are starting points for formulation development. Optimal concentrations depend on molecular weight, degree of substitution, substrate properties, target organism, and processing conditions. Technical support available from our team.

 

Shellfish Source — Quality, Provenance & Allergen Considerations

Our Quaternary Chitosan is derived from shellfish chitin — primarily shrimp and crab shells sourced from commercial seafood processing facilities. This provides:

• High molecular weight base chitosan — shrimp/crab chitin delivers consistently high MW raw material, important for controlled quaternization
• Established supply chain — shellfish chitin is the most commercially mature and characterised chitin source globally
• Strong batch-to-batch consistency — well-understood raw material enables tight control of DS%, DDA, and MW parameters

Allergen note: Shellfish-derived chitosan contains residual shellfish proteins at trace levels. This product is not suitable for formulations claiming shellfish-free or crustacean allergen-free status. For allergen-free applications, see our mushroom-origin or insect-origin alternatives.

Shellfish-free alternative: Quaternary Chitosan — Mushroom Origin (Vegan / Allergen-Free)

All source options: Shellfish-Origin Chitosan — Shrimp, Crab & Lobster

Pricing, Packaging & Shipping

Pack Size	Price (USD)	Grade Available	Shipping (USA)
25 g	$45.00	All grades	Free shipping (USA)
1 kg	$205.00	All grades	15% tariff + $125 FedEx
> 1 kg	Contact for quote	All grades	Custom quote required

For bulk industrial orders above 1 kg, or for orders outside the USA, contact steve@chitosanglobal.com for a custom shipping and pricing quote. Lead time 2–12 weeks for most bulk orders.

View full wholesale pricing: Chitosan Global Wholesale Pricing Page

Why Source Quaternary Chitosan from Chitosan Global?

• CAS-referenced, documented material: TMC (101200-48-0) and HTCC (112879-37-5) — traceable and procurement-ready
• COA provided per batch — DS%, DDA, MW, and purity confirmed
• Multiple grades: industrial, pharmaceutical, and food grade available
• Reliable shellfish supply chain with consistent raw material quality
• Samples from 25 g for formulation development before bulk commitment
• Expert technical support: Steve Nice, +1 423-202-6145
• Global shipping: export-ready documentation for all major markets

Our supply chain: Responsible Supply Chain & Sustainability Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is quaternary chitosan used for?

Quaternary chitosan (QCS) is used in pharmaceutical drug delivery systems (oral, nasal, transdermal, gene delivery), antimicrobial fiber and textile manufacturing, cosmetic conditioning and preservative systems, industrial surface coatings, agricultural crop protection, and wound care materials. Its defining advantage over standard chitosan is full water solubility and permanent cationic activity across pH 1–14.

What are the CAS numbers for quaternary chitosan?

The two main commercial forms are N,N,N-Trimethyl Chitosan (TMC) with CAS 101200-48-0, and N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium Chitosan Chloride (HTCC) with CAS 112879-37-5. Always request the specific CAS number from your supplier to confirm the quaternization form being supplied.

What is the degree of substitution (DS%) and why does it matter?

Degree of substitution (DS%) refers to the percentage of chitosan amino groups that have been successfully quaternized. Higher DS% means stronger permanent charge density, better water solubility across all pH values, and greater antimicrobial potency. Typical commercial DS% ranges from 30–90%, with pharmaceutical applications generally requiring higher DS% (≥60%) for effective tight junction opening and drug permeation. DS% is confirmed per batch in the Certificate of Analysis.

Is quaternary chitosan soluble in water at neutral pH?

Yes, this is its primary advantage over standard chitosan. Quaternary chitosan maintains complete water solubility across the entire pH range from 1 to 14, including neutral (pH 7.0) and alkaline conditions. Standard chitosan requires pH below 6.5 for solubility and loses effectiveness at physiological and textile processing pH levels.

What is the difference between TMC and HTCC?

Both TMC and HTCC are permanently charged quaternary chitosan forms. TMC (N,N,N-Trimethyl Chitosan) is the classical, most-studied form, widely used in mucosal drug delivery for its tight-junction-opening properties. HTCC (N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium Chitosan Chloride) has a slightly different quaternization structure that improves nanoparticle formation efficiency and is preferred for gene delivery and nanocarrier applications. For most antimicrobial and fiber applications, both perform comparably.

Is quaternary chitosan shellfish allergen-relevant?

Yes. This product is derived from shellfish chitin and may contain trace shellfish proteins. It is not suitable for applications where crustacean allergen-free claims are required. For allergen-free formulations (vegan, shellfish-free, clean-label), see our mushroom-origin quaternary chitosan.

Can it replace synthetic quaternary polymers like polyquaternium-10?

In many cosmetic and textile applications, QCS provides comparable or superior conditioning and antimicrobial performance to synthetic polyquaterniums, with the significant advantage of full biodegradability. It is increasingly used as a sustainable alternative in formulations targeting eco-certification (COSMOS, ECOCERT, NATRUE). Application-specific performance testing is recommended before full reformulation.

What documentation is provided?

Each batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming DS%, DDA, molecular weight, solubility, appearance, and heavy metal compliance. MSDS and TDS are available on request. COA download available on the product page.

What is the minimum order quantity?

Minimum order is a 25 g sample at $45 with free USA shipping ideal for formulation screening and compatibility testing. Standard 1 kg units are $205 (plus 15% tariff and $125 FedEx for USA delivery). Bulk industrial quantities above 1 kg are quoted separately.

Related Products & Resources

→ Quaternary Chitosan — Full Grade Overview (All Sources)

→ Carboxymethyl Chitosan — Anionic Derivative for Cosmetics & Wound Care

→ Chitosan Hydrochloride — Water-Soluble Cationic Chitosan

→ Chitosan Oligosaccharide (COS) — Low MW Derivatives Overview

→ Shellfish-Origin Chitosan — Shrimp, Crab & Lobster Source

→ Quaternary Chitosan in Fiber Manufacturing — Bicomponent Process Guide

→ Chitosan in Cosmetics — Green Beauty Applications

→ Chitosan in Agriculture — Crop Protection & Yield Benefits

→ Shop All Chitosan Products

 

Order Now or Request a Bulk Quote

Select your package size above to add to cart, or contact us directly for bulk orders, grade specification, degree of substitution requirements, or custom formulation support.

Email: steve@chitosanglobal.com

Phone: +1 423-202-6145

Contact Us for Custom Pricing  |

Download COA (PDF)  |

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