Effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment on themolecular weight and structure of chitosan

摘要

The degradation of chitosan by hydrogen peroxide was studied. The degradation was monitored by gel permeation chromato- graphy (GPC). The molecular weight distribution of partially degraded products from homogeneous reaction displayed a single- modal curve whereas that from heterogeous reaction was bimodal. The molecular weight (Mw) decreased as the temperature, the time an/or hydrogen peroxide concentration increased. The dissolution of chiotsan (pH5.5) in minimum hydrochloride enhanced its degradation, but excessive hydrogen ion potentially inhibited the degradation.