IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF CHONDROITIN BY SOLVOLYTIC DESULFATION OF CHONDROITIN SULFATES

By heating the pyridinium salts of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates in dimethyl sulfoxide containing 10% of water or methanol at 80°C for 1-5 h, several chondroitin preparations with sulfur contents of 0.02-1.05% were prepared in 83%96% yields, respectively. Chemical properties of the preparations, such as degrees of desulfation and of, were compared with those of the products obtained by the previously described methods. © 1979, by the Japanese Biochemical Society.