Lysozyme degradation of partially deacetylated chitin, its films and hydrogels

Chitin is a linear, beta (1 leads to 4) linked polymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine that is insoluble in water and most ordinary solvents. Partial deacetylation of chitin increases the hydrophilicity and renders it soluble in dilute acidic solutions. Like chitin, partially deacetylated chitin is a substrate for lysozyme digestion. Kinetic studies of the degradation reaction show that the hydrolysis of partially deacetylated chitin by lysozyme follows typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics with an apparent Km value of 45 micrograms/ml and a Vmax value of 0.083 x 10(-3) g/l/min. Dilute acidic solutions of partially deacetylated chitin can be cast to form tough, flexible, water insoluble films or crosslinked with glutaraldehyde to form hydrogels. Both of these materials are degraded by lysozyme.