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Published on: February 27, 2021
Fragmentation of chitosan by acids
Mohammad Reza Kasaai1, Joseph Arul, Gérard Charlet
1Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Khazar Abad Road, Km. 9, P.O. Box 578, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran.
Hydrochloric acid effectively fragments chitosan in water. This study details the fragmentation kinetics, chain scissions, and molecular characteristics of chitosan fragments, offering a method for molecular weight estimation.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, is widely used in biomedical applications.
- Controlling chitosan fragmentation is crucial for tailoring its properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acid-catalyzed fragmentation of chitosan in aqueous solution.
- To characterize the resulting chitosan fragments and understand fragmentation kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Viscometry and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for kinetic analysis and polydispersity.
- (1)H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis for chemical structure and N-acetylation degree (DA).
Main Results:
- Chitosan fragmentation followed first-order kinetics.
- Experimental conditions yielded fragments with polydispersity and DA similar to the original chitosan.
- A method for estimating fragment molecular weight and chain scissions was developed.
Conclusions:
- Hydrochloric acid provides a controlled method for chitosan fragmentation.
- The study offers insights into chitosan degradation mechanisms and fragment characterization.
- The proposed method aids in precise molecular weight determination of chitosan fragments.
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