• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 1994

The ether-type chitin derivatives were synthesized by reacting chitin with chloropropane, propylene oxide and chloropropane diol to form propyl chitin(PPC), hydroxypropyl chitin(HPC) and dihydroxypropyl chitin(DHPC). These derivatives formed a lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystallinity in concentrations over 30 wt% solution in formic acid (99%). Cast films from liquid crystalline solutions were degraded by lysozyme in pseudo-extra cellular tluid(PECF)solutions, at pH 1.2, pH 6.7 and pH 8.2. Three ether-type chitin derivatives rapidly degraded within the first week, and showed a decreased mechanical strength in neutral pH range. Dihydroxypropyl chitin showed the best biodegradation among these derivatives.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 1995

The $\beta$-chitin derivatives were synthesized by reacting $\beta$-chitin with chloropropane, propyleneoxide and chloropropane diol to form propyl chitin (PPC), hydroxypropyl chitin (HPC) and dihydroxypropyl chitin (DHPC), respectively. Cast films from $\beta$-chitin and $\beta$-chitin derivatives solutions degraded by Iyrozyme in pseudo-extrra cellular fluid (PECF) solutions, at pH1.2, pH6.7 and pH8.2. Chitin derivatives rapidly degraded compared with virgin $\beta$-chitin within the first week. DHPC showed the best biodegradation among these derivatives.