Studies on preparation of oligoglucosamine by oxidative degradation under microwave irradiation

Medicinal oligoglucosamine was prepared by oxidative degradation of chitosan with neutral hydrogen peroxide under microwave irradiation. The effects of concentration of H2O2, volume of solution, amount of chitosan and irradiation time were investigated by the orthogonal test, and the optimal conditions of degradation are described. The structure of the product was confirmed by FT-IR spectrum analysis. The number average molecular weight of oligoglucosamine was determined by the method of end group analysis. The experimental results show that oligoglucosamine can be conveniently and effectively obtained by oxidative degradation of chitosan under microwave irradiation. The number average molecular weight of chitosan decreased to 900-1000. The changes in the yield of oligoglucosamine are strongly dependent on the reaction time and the concentration of H2O2. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.