Fractionation and Isolation of Cell Wall Polysaccharides

Alkaline soluble material Alkaline insoluble material 

For extraction of total chitosan, the cell wall matrix has to be weakened by the use of stronger alkaline conditions (e.g., NaOH 11 M, at 45°C, for 13 h). Under such conditions, cell wall proteins, soluble glucans and other polysaccharides, as well as DNA and RNA present in the fungal cell, are solubilized and removed from the AIM during the subsequent washing steps with distilled water. The chitin present in the cell wall is also partially or completely deacetylated, increasing the chitosan yield. 

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