title: A novel soft and cotton-like chitosan-sugar nanoscaffold.
abstract: A novel type of chitosan nanoscaffold with a soft and cotton-like appearance is proposed. The key to success is based on two points: (i) the change in morphology of chitin whisker to chitosan nanoscaffold and (ii) the surface modification of the nanoscaffold chitosan with a sugar unit. Simple deacetylation of chitin whisker gives a colloidal solution of chitosan, of which the chitosan is in a nanoscaled scaffold. Surface functionalization of the chitosan nanoscaffold with lactose or maltose via a heterogeneous system in water at room temperature results in a soft and cotton-like chitosan containing mesopores. As all steps are organic solvent free, this chitosan-sugar nanoscaffold might be a promising material for biopolymer-supported tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University,Soi Chula 12,Phyathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sasiprapha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phongying
authors.forename: Sei-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aiba
authors.forename: Suwabun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chirachanchai
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D007785:Lactose / Q000737:chemistry; D008320:Maltose / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002241:Carbohydrates; D003102:Colloids; D014867:Water; D008320:Maltose; D048271:Chitosan; D007785:Lactose