Modification of 56ACARBO force field for molecular dynamic calculations of chitosan and its derivatives.

The GROMOS 56ACARBO force field for the description of carbohydrates was modified for calculations of chitosan (poly-1,4-(N-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranosamine-2) with protonated and non-protonated amino groups and its derivatives. Additional parameterization was developed on the basis of quantum chemical calculations. The modified force field (56ACARBO_CHT) allows performing the molecular dynamic calculations of chitosans with different degrees of protonation corresponding to various acidity of medium. Test calculations of the conformational transitions in the chitosan rings and polymeric chains as well as the chitosan nanocrystal dissolution demonstrate good agreement with experimental data. Graphical abstract The GROMOS 56ACARBO_CHT force field allows performing the molecular dynamic calculations of chitosans with different types of amio-group: free, protonated, substituted.