초록
Chitosan was depolymerized by oxidizing agent, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and general properties of resulting low molecular weight chitosan(LMWC) were studied. Effect of amount of $H_2O_2$, ratio of $H_2O_2$/chitosan, and reaction temperature were investigated in preparing LMWC. In addition, the reduction of molecular weight of prepared LMWC were measured after a certain time passage. Pre-swelling treatment of starting chitosan affected uniform and mild reaction of depolymerization and increased the solubility of resulting LMWC. Prepared LMWC (Mw 100,000) showed a decrease in Mw by 25-35%. Prepared LMWC(Mw 60,000-70,000) showed a decrease in Mw by 10-15% after 7 months. Therefore, this depolymerizing process can be concluded desirable in terms of stability. In addition, yellowing of pre-swelling treated chitosan upon time passage was insignificant compared with that of untreated chitosan. Therefore, pre-swelling treatment of chitosan before depolymerization would be beneficial in terms of stability of physical state.
