CARB 88 |
| Chitosan, a linear polysaccharide composed of β-(1-4)-linked 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose, is a nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable polymer obtained via de-N-acetylation of chitin, which is the second most abundant natural polysaccharide after cellulose. Reactions of chitosan with aldehydes or ketones in the presence of formic acid as reducing agent in aqueous and free solvent conditions were investigated under conventional heating or microwave irradiation for modification of chitosan. Since no alcoholic solvents and no NaBH4 or NaBH3CN are required, this represents a more environmentally-friendly method. There are two distinct steps involved in this process: first formation of a Schiff base and second, reduction of the Schiff base. Characterization of the resulting materials using FT-ATR and NMR was performed. The in vitro biodegradation time for the N,N-dimethylchitosan membranes was similar to the biodegradation time of chitosan membranes. |
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General Posters
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Sci-Mix
Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry |