Radiation-induced and sonochemical degradation of chitosan as a way to increase its fat-binding capacity

Three physical methods of chitosan degradation: irradiation in dry state, irradiation in aqueous solution and sonication in aqueous solution were tested and compared in the terms of yields and side effects. The influence of average molecular weight of chitosan in its fat-binding ability in vitro has been studied by using a biopharmaceutical model of digestive tract. It was found that reduction in molecular weight leads to a significant increase in the amount of fat bound by I g of chitosan. Thus, radiation- or sonochemical treatment may be useful in improving fat-binding properties of chitosan as an active component of dietary food additives. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.