Effect of the linear aliphatic amine functionalization on in vitro transfection efficiency of chitosan nanoparticles.

•Functionalization of chitosan with aliphatic amine was realized for the first time.•Amine functionalization of chitosan significantly increased transfection efficiency.•Amine functionalized chitosan could carry DNA much more four time than the chitosan.•Amine functionalized chitosan has enough transfection efficiency for primary cells.•Amine functionalized chitosan may be an alternative non-toxic nonviral gene carrier.