[Preparation and quality control of low molecular weight chitosan].
OBJECTIVE
To prepare the low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) and establish the method for quality control.


METHODS
Use enzymatic degradation to prepare LMWC with chitosan, and separate by ultrafiltration; the molecular weight and purity were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and colorimetry respectively.


RESULTS
LMWC was prepared by control the hours of enzymatic degradation and ultrafiltered through filter with cutoff molecular of 10K Dalton and 50 K dalton; the average molecular weight was 20 K dalton and the purity was (96.60 +/- 1.56)%.


CONCLUSIONS
The condition of enzymatic degradation is geniality and easy to control, LMWCs with different molecular weight can separate by ultrafiltration efficiently; the quality of LMWC can control with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and colorimetry.
Huang
Xuan
X
College of Pharmaceutical Scione, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China.
Hu
Fu-Qiang
FQ
Yuan
Hong
H
Ying
Xiao-Ying
XY
D002480:Cellulase / Q000378:metabolism; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003124:Colorimetry; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011786:Quality Control; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*
D048271:Chitosan; D002480:Cellulase