STUDY ON THE FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF CHITOSAN LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT FORMED FROM NATIVE CHITOSAN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to synthesize and investigate some of the functional properties of chitosan low molecular weight (CTSLMW) forming from native chitosan. Chitosan low molecular weight was synthesized under Liu et al (2006) method, after different hydrolysis periods of time chitosans had molecular weight ranging from 9.5 to 10.4 kDa, deacetylation degree changing insignificantly at 97 ± 0.5%. Films forming from CTSLMW have water solubility and water vapour permeability at over 50% and chitosan with molecular weight 10,4 kDa has the lowest water solubility and water vapour permeability. Chitosan with molecular weight 10.4 kDa has the best inhibited Penicillium expansum (P. expansum) growth at concentration of 0.5% in liquid midium and 1% in solid medium. Study on the effect of time inhibition on P. expansum mold showed that chitosan with  molecular weight 10.4 kDa has the shortest processing time of 22 hours at minimun inhibitory concentration of 0.75%.