Moisture absorption behavior of various chitin derivatives

Abstract

Moisture absorption behavior of various chitin derivatives was investigated. Dihydroxypropylchitin (DHP-chitin), carboxymethylchitin (CM-chitin, Na+ form), chitin sulfate (S-chitin, Na+ form), and chitin phosphate (P-chitin, Na+ form) showed high relative moisture absorption values (RMA; 4.7, 3.3, 3.1, and 3.3, respectively). RMA values of Na+ form of CM-chitin and P-chitin were higher than those of H+ form and Ca2+ form. Chitosan L-glutamate and adipate also showed high RMA values (5.3 and 4.9, respectively) as compared with other organic and inorganic chitosan salts. © 1992, The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan. All rights reserved.