Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan

Physical State Sohd semicrystalline powder poly[p-(l,4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranose] 

Particle size 30 im Linecff cationic polycunine containing a number of free amine groups 

Solubility Insoluble in water, soluble in organic acids Ionic crosslinking (forms gel) with multivalent anions 

Viscosity (cps) of 1% solution 260 in 1% acetic acid Chelates with transitional metals 

Molecular weight (variable) 10,000 to 1 million Dalton Linear polyelectrolyte with primary amine group of the glucosamine residues at the C-2 position 

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Jumaa, M., and Muller, B. W. (1999), Physicochemical properties of chitosan-lipid emulsions and their stability during the autoclaving process, Int. J. Pharm., 183,175-184. 

Mdller, H., Grelier, S., Pardon, R, Coma, V. 2004. Antimicrobial and physicochemical properties of chitosan-HPMC-based films. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52(21) 6585-6591. 

It is possible to prepare different forms of formulations such as aqueous dispersions, gels, sponges and micro/nanoparticles using chitosan and its derivatives. Furthermore, versatility in the physicochemical properties of chitosan allows the formulator an excellent opportunity to engineer antigen-specific adjuvant/delivery systems. 

Romoren, K Pedersen, S Smistad, G Evensen, 0 Thu, BJ. The influence of formulation variables on in vitro transfection efficiency and physicochemical properties of chitosan-based polyplexes. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 261 (1-2), 2003, 115-127. 

Being considered to be materials of great futuristic potential with immense possibilities for structural modifications to impart desired properties and functions, research and development work on chitin and CS have reached a status of intense activities in many parts of the world [142, 71, 133]. Starting in 1982, the study of the physicochemical properties of chitosan in solution through the investigations on various interaction mechanisms and the elaboration of new materials with applications in numerous fields. Much research has been focused on chitosan as a source of bioactive material during past few decades. Chitin/chitosan and their carboj methyl derivatives have received much attention in the recent decades due to their abundance [146] yet, chitin and chitosan exist in many forms. It is well known that some of the structural... 

This method used the physicochemical properties of polymers like chitosan, which is insoluble in alkaline pH medium and therefore precipitates/coa-cervates when it comes in contact with alkaline solution. Particles are produced by blowing chitosan solution into an alkali solution like NaOH using a compressed air nozzle to form coacervate droplets (Agnihotri et al. 2004). 

Chen, M.C., Yeh, G.H.C., and Chiang, B.H. 1996. Antimicrobial and physicochemical properties of methylcellulose and chitosan films containing a preservative. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 20 379-390. 

We demonstrated that a naturally derived polysaccharide, chitosan, is capable of forming composite nanoparticles with silica. For encapsulated particles, we used silicification and biosilicification to encapsulate curcumin and analyzed the physicochemical properties of curcumin nanoparticles. It proved that encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles enhanced stability toward ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, antioxidation and antitumor activity, enhanced/added function, solubility, bioactivities/ bioavailability, and control release and overcame the immunobarrier. We present an in vitro study that examined the cytotoxicity of amorphous and composite silica nanoparticles to different cell lines. These bioactives include curcumin mdAntrodia cinnamomea. It is hoped that by examining the response of multiple cell lines to silica nanoparticles more basic information regarding the cytotoxicity as well as potential functions of silica in future oncological applications could become available. 

Ercelen S, Zhang X et al (2006) Physicochemical properties of low molecular weight alkylated chitosans a new class of potential nonviral vectors for gene delivery. Colloids SurfB 51 140-148... 

The physical and mechanical properties of chitosan can be amefiorated by using graft copolymerization and crosslinking. Chitosan forms aldimines and ketimines with aldehydes and ketones, respectively. Upon hydrogenation with simple aldehydes, chitosan produces A-alkyl chitosan [60]. The physicochemical and biological properties [61] as well as conformational structures [62] of chitosan are very effective for biomedical applications. 

Influence of chitosan amount and genipin concentration on the physicochemical properties of the scaffolds... 

Table 16.1 Physicochemical and biological properties of chitosan as a function of its molecular weight and degree of deacetylation...

Kofiiji, K., Qian, C. J., Nishimura, M., Sugiyama, 1., Murata, Y., Kawashima, S. (2005). Relationship between physicochemical characteristics and functional properties of chitosan. Ear. Polvtn. /.. 41,2784-2791. 

No, H. K., Lee, S. H., Park, N. Y, and Meyers, S. P., Comparison of physicochemical, binding, and antibacterial properties of chitosans prepared without and with deproteinization process,... 

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