Depolymerization of Chitosan with the Aid of Lysozyme and Hydrogen Peroxide

The degradation rate of chitosan with lysozyme and hydrogen peroxide as catalysts was investigated. It was found that lysozyme can appreciably accelerate the degradation of chitosan. 44% of chitosan can be degradated with lysozyme in 11 days, but only 19% of chitosan is degradated without lysozyme. When chitosan is packed with lysozyme, its degradating rate is slower than that in lysozyme solution. The former rate is 38% in 29 days, and the later is 53% in 29 days. When hydrogen peroxide is used as catalyst, concentration should be no less than 0.03×10~(-5) g/mL, because the degradation of chitosan is accelerated only when the concentration of H_2O_2 is higher than 0.03×10~(-5) g/mL. Varying the concentration of H_2O_2 can control the degradation rate of chitosan.